UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal has become the new prime minister of the country with the support of the Maoists. If the Maoists ever decide to withdraw their support, his government is bound to crumble. It's unlikely that the Maoists have forgotten the role Khanal played in bringing down their government earlier. The question now is who will Khanal represent? Will he carry the agenda of the Maoists or his own party? The UML central committee had once decided that the party would not work with the Maoists until they approached the peace process in good faith. This decision has not been amended even as the process of government formation begins. No agreement or commitment between Khanal and Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been made public with regard to control of the government. It was Dahal's lone decision to accept Khanal's leadership. Only those with the courage to differ with Dahal voted otherwise. Dahal now appears to be an opportunist.

The people's interests were not even discussed when Khanal received support from the Maoists. Forces that did not agree with the selfish aims of the Maoists chose to stay out of government. Although Khanal will lead the government, it is quite likely that the main player will be Dahal. A government without an identity is unlikely to be able to deliver, and the prime minister may just become a helpless shadow unless he makes his position clear.

READ ALSO:
'Peace process will speed up with the Maoists in government'
China gets what it wants
To-do list