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‘The Government Should Take Initiative To Narrow Down Differences’

  4 min 24 sec to read

Surendra Pandey ,leader of Communist Party of Nepal, United Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML)
Surendra Pandey a leader of Communist Party of Nepal, United Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) is a former Minister of Finance. He spoke with Siromani Dhungana and Pritica Sharma of the The Corporate about contemporary political scenario in the country. Excerpt: 
 
Is it possible to hold elections in the stipulated time? 
 
Election should be possible but the primary concern is whether the government is determined to hold election or not. Baidya-led Maoist and some other political forces including Federal Socialist Party and People’s Right Forum have been saying that they will not take part in the election but they have not said that they will obstruct election either. The government should take initiative to narrow down the differences. The government should continue these two things together. On the one hand, it should work to create conducive environment for the election. On the other, it should continue dialogue with dissident parties. This approach will help reduce differences and foster favourable environment for the CA election. 
 
Can the bureaucrats-led government directly talk with political forces? 
 
This government has both advantages and disadvantages. There is a genuine question whether this government can present its strong determinism to solve political differences. Similarly, single agenda of the government is to hold election. This government has more flexibility in terms of political ideology and stand. Political parties could not reach a compromise due to their own political ideologies and interests but this government is free from that. 
 
But it is often blamed that this government is not accountable to the people due to its apolitical nature. The government is keen to involve itself in employees transfer and other controversial decisions. In this regard, how can this government be free of vested interests? 
 
I have also heard some complaints about this. Accordingly, some ministers have been saying that this government will continue for long time. The mandate of the government to hold election will expire on mid-December though Nepali Congress leader Krishna Sitaula has recently said that this government will continue for four years if the election is not held on time. Who is Krishna Sitaula to claim this? He expressed this as if he is a person who can form and dissolve the government. I don’t think Krishna Sitaula alone can form or dissolve the government. In my opinion, the tenure of the government cannot extend beyond mid-December and the government should be aware of this fact. 
 
Is there rapid polarization between political philosophies in Nepal or it is merely conflict of vested interest? 
 
Both are there along with provocation of various interest groups. There are some political concerns, some vested interests and some provocations. Together these three things have fuelled the current political crisis. Therefore, political problems such as federalism and other constitution related issues should be sorted out at political level. Similarly, election is very essential to measure political parties’ strength. No political party should fear from the election. Political parties should refrain from shortsightedness, selfishness and provocation from unwarranted groups rather they should be focused on their own agendas for the betterment of overall political scenario of the country. A statesman should take decision based on his own conscience. 
 
Can this government conduct free and fair CA election? 
 
There are a number of questions and doubts whether this government can hold free and fair election. During the short tenure, this government has failed to regulate the market and have done several activities which were not mandated to this government. However, political parties should create pressure to this government to hold the election on time. 
 
What’s your opinion about budget from this government? 
 
Budget should not be delayed. It should be brought on time as per doctrine of necessity though there is not any accountability mechanism. We have a government and it should be allowed to bring budget. The question is: whether the government can change the policy or not? In my opinion, this government should not change major policies. The primary mandate of this government is to hold the election and the government is bringing the budget after the date for election has been declared. In this context, the government should realize its limitations. First, it should not introduce any new programme. Similarly, this government should not formulate a new policy due to lack of political mandate from the people. Similarly, this government should be aware of lack of accountability mechanism in absence of parliament. The government is introducing the budget through ordinance so it should not exaggerate the budget issue.
 

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