KATHMANDU: Nita Ghatani, who was elected as a central member from the 11th General Convention of the CPN-UML and later nominated as a proportional representation lawmaker by party chair KP Sharma Oli, says her rise to national politics has been an unexpected journey.
Having started her political career through local student politics and ward-level activities, she says she is committed to carrying out her parliamentary responsibilities through continuous study and preparation.
As the UML intensifies criticism of the government in the House of Representatives, Ghatani says opposition leaders have not been able to directly meet Prime Minister Balendra Shah. She accuses the government of becoming disconnected from the public and argues that decisions such as the dissolution of student organizations and trade unions should be withdrawn. In this context, Khabarhub spoke with UML whip Nita Ghatani.
Has the CPN-UML failed to present itself as a strong opposition force?
Ghatani: It has only been around one and a half months since this government was formed. Parliament met briefly and was adjourned after six sessions. Now, after repeated questions about when the House would resume, it has finally begun again. During this period, our party was also busy with internal parliamentary processes, from selecting parliamentary leaders to coordinating agendas with other parties.
Even so, we consistently raised opposition concerns through the Speaker and pressured the government to ensure that Parliament functions properly. We have spoken strongly on issues such as inflation and rising prices. So it is not correct to say that the UML has remained silent or allowed the government to act without scrutiny.
At the same time, we also believed that the government deserved some trust initially because it came to power with a near two-thirds mandate from the people. Since many young leaders are involved, we expected some new approaches. But while the intentions may not necessarily be wrong, the government’s style and working methods appear inconsistent and unclear.
What specifically concerns you about the government’s functioning?
At present, we are being forced to communicate with the government through the Speaker because the Prime Minister is generally inaccessible to opposition parties, public representatives and even ordinary citizens. Neither UML nor Congress leaders have been able to directly meet him. So we have had to use the Speaker informally as a bridge to convey concerns and complaints.
What is worrying is that within just two or three months of the election, people have already started feeling afraid of the government. That should never happen in a democracy. Citizens should feel safest under their own government, but the situation appears to be the opposite.
People living on public land are frightened. Daily wage earners and working-class citizens are struggling because of rising prices and inflation. The government has failed to present concrete plans regarding inflation control, settlement management and disaster preparedness. We are raising these concerns repeatedly in Parliament.
The role of the opposition is not simply to criticize everything the government does. We also have a responsibility to warn citizens about policies and actions that may negatively affect them. It is deeply unfortunate that people have started feeling insecure under their own government.
What is your party’s position regarding squatter settlements and demolitions?
Ghatani: We have always believed that unorganized settlements and squatter issues should be managed properly. A home is the safest place for any person. More than anything else, land ownership gives people confidence and stability. Without land or shelter, people cannot build secure lives. That is why our party has consistently supported proper settlement management.
There may be situations where encroachments need to be cleared. But it is wrong to directly use bulldozers without first ensuring alternative arrangements for poor and vulnerable families. The first responsibility of the state should be to decide where these people will be relocated and how they will survive afterward.
Many of the affected families include schoolchildren and students preparing for exams. People are being moved into temporary holding shelters without proper planning or dignity. A house is not just a structure — every wall of a home carries emotional value for the family living there. Even poor people are deeply attached to their homes and belongings.
The government should have clearly distinguished between genuine squatters and those who deliberately occupied land illegally for profit. The state should have identified such groups separately and arranged proper relocation for vulnerable families before taking action.
We have also seen tragic incidents where people reportedly took their own lives after losing their homes. The government has not treated these incidents with the seriousness they deserve. It would have been far better to first manage settlements humanely and only then proceed with demolition measures if necessary.
Now that Parliament has resumed, what issues will the UML raise in the House?
Parliament naturally belongs to the opposition as much as to the ruling side. The ruling parties defend and praise the government, while the opposition evaluates and questions it. Discussions are ongoing among opposition leaders and deputy leaders regarding common agendas. At present, most opposition parties appear to share similar concerns.
We are not only warning the government but also carefully reviewing the ordinances and decisions it has introduced. The opposition’s role is to ensure accountability and raise issues that directly affect citizens.
Are opposition parties preparing to form a common alliance or front?
We have not immediately moved toward forming a formal opposition front. However, we are prepared to move together on issues related to governance, the functioning of the state and public concerns. Whether a formal alliance is needed will depend on the situation and the nature of the issues that arise.
Usually, such fronts are formed when there is a need for coordinated action on a major issue. Since Parliament has just resumed, internal discussions and preparations are still underway.
What message or suggestion would you give to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his ministers?
First of all, the government’s working style lacks transparency. A government cannot function only through speeches, publicity and symbolic gestures. Serious governance requires accountability and institutional processes.
For example, during one of the first parliamentary meetings, the president of the National Independent Party publicly apologized to the Dalit community. But shortly afterward, several incidents related to caste-based discrimination and untouchability surfaced again.
Despite that, the government did not take visible or effective action to address the concerns of affected communities. Even those leaders who apologized earlier did not publicly express concern afterward.
Another problem is that the government appears to prioritize social media popularity over institutional communication. Decisions made by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet often appear first through personal media channels and pages such as “Routine of Nepal Banda” instead of official government platforms.
Every decision should come through formal state mechanisms. So far, the government has not appeared sufficiently serious or transparent, and people are still unclear about its actual direction.
Ruling party leaders say the opposition criticizes the government even when it does good work. What is your response?
Our criticism is not based on political gain or loss alone. Some of the government’s recent decisions — such as dissolving trade unions and student organizations — are immature and problematic.
Political freedoms, organizational rights and democratic participation were achieved through long struggles and sacrifices. A democratic government should not weaken those rights in the name of reform. We are prepared to defend these achievements until the very end because they are part of the democratic foundations of the country.
Moving slightly away from politics, where is UML Chair KP Sharma Oli now and what is his condition?
The party chair is currently at his residence. As everyone knows, he recently underwent surgery and remained hospitalized for around 22 to 25 days. During that period, doctors also detected a serious infection. Some people outside may try to dismiss it as drama, but the infection was genuinely serious.
For someone of his age, it was naturally difficult to remain hospitalized and isolated for such a long period. Even while unwell, he was still meeting dozens of people regularly. Recently, however, he has gradually resumed official activities and interactions with party cadres. Despite physical weakness and health challenges, he has not withdrawn from his responsibilities.
Do you think UML Chair Oli should now step down from leadership?
This is an issue that requires broad discussion and consultation within the party. It is not something that can be decided based only on one person’s opinion. Senior leaders should definitely discuss the future direction of leadership.
At the same time, I do not think it is appropriate to attack or pressure someone politically while they are going through health difficulties.
This is your first term in Parliament and you are already serving as a whip. Does the responsibility feel overwhelming? How are you managing it?
Anyone entering politics must be prepared to take on whatever responsibilities come their way. I never imagined that I would reach this position so quickly, but now that I am here, I see it more as a challenge and responsibility than simply an opportunity.
Being elected as a central committee member and entering Parliament through proportional representation is also a matter of trust and responsibility. When I first became involved in politics at the ward level, I never expected to achieve all this.
Now that I have entered national politics and policymaking, I feel I must focus even more on study, research, reading and public communication. There are certainly challenges, but I am continuously trying to strengthen myself through learning, preparation and practical experience.
Comment