Strong front against PM Oli

COMMENTARY

Strong front against PM Oli

By Our Political Analyst

Kathmandu, 2 July: At a time when the nation is facing multiple crisis including serious economic crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic, leaders in the ruling party are engaged in toppling down Prime Minister and party chairman KP Sharma Oli, which is very unfortunate. To what extend are the political leaders responsible towards the people, it becomes clear from the present war for power.

Senior leaders of the party gathered at a restaurant at Jhamshikhel on Wednesday evening decided to develop unity among them to oust Oli from both the posts he is enjoying.

Party co-chairman Pushpakamal Dahal, senior leader Madhav Nepal, party vice chairman Bamdev Gautam, senior leader JN Khanal, home minister Rambahadur Thapa, agriculture minister Ghanashyam Bhushal were the noted names present at the Jhamshikhel meeting. The meeting was concluding with the decision of demanding resignation of KP Sharma Oli from both the positions.

On the other hand, PM Oli had called a meeting at Baluatar Wednesday morning seeking suggestion from his well-wishers and supporters in the party.

It is learnt that PM Oli is preparing strategy to face the party standing committee meeting, where, 30 out of 45 members had demanded Oli’s resignation.

Options left for Oli:

A few options have left for Oli as he is in minority in the three organs of the party – party central committee, party standing committee and party secretariat. The first option is to defuse the gang-up against him by bringing either Madhav Nepal or Pushpakamal Dahal on his side. There left very rare chance to get success on this option. Next option is to tender resignation from one of the posts – either the PM or party chairman – and negotiate with the rival group. The other option is to face the parliament as he was elected by the party’s parliament members to the post of the PM. As he is an elected party chairman, only the next national convention of the party can change the guard.

The next and bitter options could be splitting the party, or dissolving the parliament or declaring emergency. Although, the constitution has not clearly defined on these options, as an executive prime minister, PM Oli may take such moves, say experts.

It is almost clear that in spite of developing strong front against Oli in the party, the party standing committee cannot take a decision to oust the PM and party chairman. The central committee holds such an authority. To take party decision, central committee meeting has to be called. Oli, on the other hand, is not in a mood to tender resignation in a humiliating manner, rather, he would be ready to face the parliament. Be that as it may, the present developments in the ruling party have lead the party towards a split.

Roadmap of anti-Oli camp:

Anti-Oli front has been developed to share power. As per the roadmap, JN Khanal is assured for the President’s post by eliminating Oli group in the party. Along with Oli’s oust from all the positions, the plan is to oust President Bidhya Bhandari through an impeachment. Dahal has assured Gautam for the next prime minister. However, Nepal believes that Gautam is not capable to the post. Surely, without Indian interests, Oli cannot be ousted and the Indian choice could be either Dahal or Nepal for the PM’s post. Indians are not comfortable with Khanal and Gautam. Therefore, finally, there will be power sharing between Nepal and Dahal. One will become the party chairman, other will become the PM until the party’s national convention.

Dahal’s political future:

In case Oli is ousted from the party, there will be strong domination of Nepal. Nepal is all set to contest to the post of party chairman in the upcoming party election and enjoying both the posts — party chairman and PM — by himself.

In case Oli will be ousted, those in Oli camp may join the Nepal camp as there is rare chance they to join the Dahal camp in the party. Therefore, although, Dahal may enjoy power for the time being, in the long run, Dahal is going to end his political future, say observers in the party.

People’s News Monitoring Service