BIKRAM RAI

Marred by problems and controversies, the Bhattarai government finds itself at the most difficult crossroad. While NC and UML leaders are holding secret meetings and scheming to topple the government, a faction of the Maoist party is also trying to bring down Bhattarai by joining forces with KP Oli and Ram Chandra Poudel. The NC and UML have much to gain if the current goverment falls, but it is difficult to understand why certain Maoist leaders also joined the campaign?

The Maoists and Madhesi parties have been agents of change and a NC-UML partnership is unlikely to be any more progressive than the current set up. Moreover, if this government is simply replaced by another majority government, instead of a national unity government the entire campaign will be of no use. The games being played to remove Bhattarai from power will not only affect the Maoists, but will push the entire country into uncertainty.

Since we only have two months remaining, our main priority should be to conclude the peace process and write the constitution. Regardless of which party heads the government, inability to meet these priorities will make everyone's journey more difficult. There are no legal provisions left to extend the CA and the Nepali people will not allow further delays. On the other hand, making the country parliament-less by scrapping an elected body is also unconstitutional. It's time we realised that the life of the CA is of greater concern now, than the life of the present government.