The current government was not formed under typical circumstances. During a national crisis, one would expect unity, where the leading parties come together to address the issues at hand.
In Nepal, the government comprises the Nepali Congress, the largest party in the House of Representatives, and the CPN-UML, the second-largest party.
This coalition was intended to tackle the nation’s problems and conflicts.
Nepal has not faced an external attack, nor has it been struck by a revolution.
So why is there such discontent? The issues we face—economic challenges, governance problems, and constitutional implementation—necessitated a two-thirds majority government formed by the leading parties.
This coalition was meant to guide the country towards positive change.
I have cautioned this government about the risk of complacency.
The initial 100-day period for demonstrating results should be reduced to 10 days.
It is crucial to address and alleviate the widespread frustration, especially among the youth.
Whether it is tackling youth unemployment or addressing issues of maladministration, corruption, and delays, the government must commit to resolving these problems and promoting social justice.
From ensuring social justice to improving the livelihoods of Nepali citizens, the government needs to act decisively.
A government formed with strong intentions and significant power cannot afford to fail, be complacent, or stray from its core objectives.
Despite the formation of this coalition government, issues of governance persist.
The current administration should focus on resolving constitutional implementation issues through necessary amendments.
The government must address these large-scale corruption cases and ensure that justice is served—punishing the guilty and protecting the innocent.
It is imperative to provide political stability and address the anger and frustration among citizens. Expectations for this government are naturally high.
In Nepal’s political history, when two major parties form a government together, they must bear responsibility for its success or failure.
In the last election, the Nepali Congress emerged as the largest party, followed by the UML.
Despite this, these major parties have not yet led the government effectively. Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has criticized these parties, suggesting they are not fulfilling their promises and are merely seeking opportunities.
The responsibility of this government is to prove that politics can indeed be about fulfilling promises made to the people. Hence, there are high expectations for its performance.
Should this coalition government fail, the moral responsibility falls heavily on the two leading parties.
Our actions and effectiveness are being scrutinized.
The JSP (Janata Samajbadi Party) did not support the new government due to internal party issues with Prachanda but believed that addressing the country’s problems required incorporating the citizens’ needs and sentiments into the country’s fundamental laws.
The Congress and UML claimed that strong support was essential for the government to succeed.
We agreed to support them based on this premise. Whether or not we join the government depends on its adherence to its commitments.
Our current stance is to support the government from the outside. For effective governance, we are willing to go beyond mere support.
Ultimately, solving our state’s problems, maintaining good governance, managing the country’s debt, and safeguarding the nation are of paramount importance.
In Nepal, opinions are often formed based on rumors, and this environment can divert attention from pressing issues, allowing selfish agendas to take precedence.
The current government was formed to address past misdeeds and corruption, and it has committed to moving forward based on facts and evidence. Actions should be taken against anyone found guilty, grounded in concrete evidence.
Historically, when two major parties form a government together, as seen with Congress and UML, they must be held accountable.
We must remain vigilant about international issues, such as the conflicts in Russia-Ukraine, America-Israel-Iran, and recent unrest in Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister’s public commitment to combating corruption—asserting that he neither engages in nor condones it—will be closely monitored.
Our role is to ensure that this commitment translates into real action, creating pressure in the House based on facts and evidence.
Recent trends show that political figures often defame one another while concealing their own wrongdoing. We must not get lost in this distraction.
Issues such as the Giribandhu land case, the Bhutanese refugee case, and the gold smuggling case are pressing.
The government must address these large-scale corruption cases and ensure that justice is served—punishing the guilty and protecting the innocent.
The government’s effectiveness should be judged by its actions, not speeches. The public is waiting for tangible results, and problems like the closure of businesses in New Road need to be resolved.
The signs of public anger indicate that merely appointing supporters will not be sufficient. The government must act decisively to regain public trust.
Otherwise, unchecked discontent could lead to more serious problems. A strong government must demonstrate its ability to resolve these issues effectively.
In a democracy, citizens have the right to express their views, oppose, or support the government.
However, the timing and method of such expressions should be determined by the citizens themselves. For instance, recent disturbances in Tundikhel highlight the tension between communities.
The government has yet to demonstrate whether it has deviated from its intended path.
The polarization in politics has significant repercussions for national politics in Nepal.
We must remain vigilant about international issues, such as the conflicts in Russia-Ukraine, America-Israel-Iran, and recent unrest in Bangladesh.
Currently, public trust in the state is waning. The government, formed by the largest and second-largest parliamentary parties, initially had a near two-thirds majority.
We have pushed for increased responsibility and warned against seeking cheap popularity.
As representatives of the people, we emphasize that there is no room for failure or complacency. The government must address the fundamental issues and accelerate progress.
Widespread dissatisfaction, particularly among the youth, and skepticism about the economy highlight the urgency of action.
We need to transform public anger and dissatisfaction into trust through clear, decisive actions.
Otherwise, unchecked discontent could lead to more serious problems. A strong government must demonstrate its ability to resolve these issues effectively.
(Edited from views expressed by JSP leader Raj Kishor Yadav in a program on ‘Practice of Coalition Government: Governance Impact,’ oorganized by Constitution Watch Group and ISSR.)
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