KATHMANDU: Nepal’s political and civic landscape this past week has been defined by a volatile mixture of high-stakes negotiations, inner-party discord, transitional justice debates, and symbolic acts of public engagement.
Beneath the surface of press releases and official meetings lies a deeper story of a polity caught between generational tensions, ideological realignment, and a pressing need for institutional credibility.
High-level pPolitical mechanism: Fractures within unity
The high-level political mechanism’s meeting at Baluwatar, attended by top leaders from the ruling CPN-UML and Nepali Congress (NC), was symbolically important but substantively shadowed by internal fractures—particularly within the NC.
The absence of Gagan Thapa, a key mechanism member and General Secretary of the NC, speaks volumes about the deepening dissent within the party.
Thapa’s growing estrangement from the party’s senior leadership, particularly NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, is not new, but his open criticism—labeling the government’s performance “slower than a turtle”—marks a shift from internal grievance to public defiance.
That he chose to inaugurate a regional conference in Simara rather than join his peers at Baluwatar is not just a scheduling choice—it is a calculated political message aimed at strengthening his reformist image and grounding himself in the grassroots.
The NC is now visibly divided between the status quoist leadership led by Deuba and an emerging reformist camp, personified by Thapa and supported by other vocal figures like Dr. Shekhar Koirala and NP Saud.
While this intra-party friction may weaken the NC’s cohesion in the short term, it could also catalyze much-needed structural and ideological renewal. In contrast, the CPN-UML’s studied silence reflects a tactical play—presenting a calm exterior while internal dissent simmers less visibly.
Transitional Justice: Rhetoric vs. action
Transitional justice once again emerged as a headline issue with a trilateral meeting involving PM KP Sharma Oli, NC President Deuba, and Maoist Chair Prachanda.
While leaders reaffirmed the urgency of reconstituting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, the ground reality remains unchanged: no officials have been appointed, and the commissions remain toothless.
Oli’s public commitment—emphasizing “no amnesty for heinous war-era crimes”—is rhetorically strong but politically complex. It seeks to balance international expectations, especially from human rights groups and donors, with domestic political calculations, particularly regarding Maoist cadres and military actors who fear retribution.
The lack of concrete movement on appointments points to a delicate game of mutual protection among the key political actors, many of whom are themselves entangled in wartime or post-war controversies.
Thus, while public discourse on transitional justice is heating up, its implementation continues to suffer from elite impunity and institutional inertia.
RSP: Crisis of credibility
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)—once hailed as the vanguard of youth politics and political reform—finds itself embroiled in a leadership and legitimacy crisis following the arrest of its chair, Rabi Lamichhane, over a cooperative fraud case.
The decision to postpone the party’s first General Convention from Baisakh to February (Fagun) is a reflection of both damage control and internal confusion.
More telling is the resignation of Sumana Shrestha, Joint General Secretary, who cited the principle of “one person, one responsibility” in stepping down. Her departure is not an act of political distancing but a symbolic statement about institutional discipline and ethical governance—a sharp contrast to the populist, at times unilateral, leadership style of Lamichhane.
The RSP now stands at a crossroads. It can either reform into a principled, process-oriented party that embodies the reformist aspirations it once promised, or descend into personality-centric factionalism.
Shrestha’s departure and the broader internal unease suggest that the honeymoon phase for the RSP is over, and serious ideological decisions must now be made.
Royalist rhetoric and republican pushback
In a surprising move, the CPN-UML officially denounced former King Gyanendra Shah, holding him indirectly responsible for the March 28 Tikune violence, which they characterized as an “act of anarchy.”
The party linked this unrest to the king’s recent politically charged messages and the symbolic appointment of a “commander,” indicating coordinated monarchist mobilization.
This accusation serves two purposes: it attempts to reassert UML’s republican credentials amid growing nostalgia for monarchy in certain sections of society, and it warns anti-system forces that street-level disruption will not be tolerated.
By taking a clear stance, UML is also aiming to absorb moderate republican sentiment while drawing a red line against regressive forces.
CPC-Maoist MoU: Ideological diplomacy
The Maoist Centre’s memorandum of understanding with the Communist Party of China (CPC) is not merely symbolic. It reflects a growing orientation toward ideological revitalization through international cooperation, especially at a time when the Maoist brand in Nepal has been fading due to electoral setbacks and internal stagnation.
The deal—focused on cadre training, party schools, and administration—suggests an attempt to mirror the CPC’s structured model and reintroduce discipline within party ranks.
However, such overt alignment also raises eyebrows over foreign influence in domestic political development, particularly from a one-party state model being promoted in a fragile democracy.
Public engagement and institutional moves
Beyond the high-level power plays, a few developments reveal the state’s attempt to restore functionality and public trust:
Tribhuvan University’s reactivation of its online certificate system is a notable step in reducing bureaucratic delay—long a source of frustration among students.
Hetauda Cement Industry’s restart after six months illustrates both the potential and plight of Nepal’s public industries. While operations are resuming, the use of decades-old machinery points to chronic underinvestment and poor industrial policy.
The Red Panda and Thar Festival in Khotang exemplifies a growing effort to merge tourism, conservation, and local identity, helping decentralize the Kathmandu-centric tourism narrative.
Judiciary as moral compass
The Supreme Court’s interim order protecting four Bhutanese refugees from forced deportation sends an important message about human rights compliance.
In a climate where refugee issues are often sidelined, this ruling reaffirms Nepal’s legal and moral responsibility to vulnerable populations, particularly those in legal limbo after failed international resettlements.
Conclusion: Nepal’s complex balancing act
The events of the past week reflect a Nepalese polity at a crucial inflection point. The old guard remains entrenched, but is increasingly confronted by internal reformists, public skepticism, and shifting geopolitical interests. Whether in coalition meetings, grassroots campaigns, or party conventions, a generational and ideological reckoning is underway.
From transitional justice to economic modernization, from resisting royalist undercurrents to fostering youth-led reform, Nepal’s current path is fraught but not without promise.
The question remains: Can political leaders rise above party lines and personal interests to deliver the justice, reform, and stability the people expect? Or will entrenched habits of elite negotiation, impunity, and patronage continue to prevail? This week has shown us glimpses of both.
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