Finally, Dahal decides to change the camp

News Analysis

Kathmandu, 21 July: Finally, Nepal Communist Party co-chairman Pushpakamal Dahal has decided to quit the Madhav Nepal camp and join the Oli camp.

At a meeting with the members of the party standing committee representing from former Maoist Center at his private residence, Khumaltar on Monday, Dahal expressed his desire to side with Prime Minister and party chairman KP Sharma Oli to save the party unity.

The meeting called for consultation on the upcoming role of Dahal in the party, the majority of the members had suggested Dahal develop an alliance with Oli. 

Scenario changed:

Along with Dahal’s new strategy, PM Oli has gained strength in the party and the prolonged drama in the ruling party has been ended for the time being. 

Oli has been able to manage Dahal by offering him the sole role of party chairman, although, Oli will remain a ceremonial chairman and continue as the PM the remaining tenure in the government.

The understanding between Oli and Dahal is to call unity convention in November or December this month; Oli not to give candidature to the post of the party chairman but support Dahal’s candidature; to reshuffle the cabinet by adjusting some members from the anti-Oli camp; managing leaders from anti-Oli camp in other government organs including in No 1 and Bagmati provinces. 

Is Oli secured now?:

For the time being, Oli has been able to save his political career, however, the government has to face many upcoming challenges including the economic crisis created by the Covid-19 pandemic and damage created by the nationwide floods and landslides due to the heavy Monsoon rains.

Furthermore, the Indian leaderships have reached to the conclusion that PM Oli is not favourable for Delhi, thus far, an India sponsored uprising is expected immediately after the festival season in November. 

Again, Beijing is dissatisfied from the Oli government as it has not given priority to the BRI project and also has not approached China initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to re-drive the Covid-19 destroyed economy, whereas, Nepal is signing one after another agreement with the World Bank, ADB, IMF, among others.      

Likewise, Washington is unhappy with the Oli government on the delayed process in implementing the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). These are the external challenges the Oli government should face in the near future even if the government is saved for the time being. 

People’s News Monitoring Service