June 2009
Political

This year’s summer of Nepali politics had been as hot as it used to be in the previous years. It may be recalled that Jana Andolan-1 (1990) and Jana Andolan-2 (2006) were both held in summer. The summer last year also saw a prolonged political deadlock after the elections to the Constituent Assembly.

Prime Minister Nepal administering oath of office to the ministers inducted in the fourth expansion of the council of ministers on June 24.

Therefore, such prolonged political deadlock as obstruction of the proceedings of the parliament in the summer months is business as usual in Nepali politics. One may remember the incidents of obstructing the house proceedings also in the past and most of them would occur during the winter session that would interestingly stretch till the summer. One example is the 19 th session of parliament obstructed by UML protesting Lauda Air scandal.

Two developments of the recent weeks might have helped to signal the end of the latest deadlock. First, the Indian government declared the Indian Maoists as terrorists and the second, Indian foreign Secretary SS Menon came to Nepal for a two-day visit.

Soon after that, the Maoists hoisted a white flag in their ongoing fight with other political parties. As reports say, they have now softened their stand to allow proceedings in the Legislative Parliament. But will they actually let the proceedings go ahead is still not certaiu.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister who took the oath of office on May 25, expanded the cabinet for the fourth time, increasing the number of the ministers to 27.

Another important development of the month was the election for the leader of the Nepali Congress parliamentary party. As GP Koirala did not contest in the election for the post, it is considered as an indication that Koirala may be considering retirement. However, he still holds the post of the Party President. In the election to the PP leadership, Ram Chandra Paudel came out the winner defeating former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba. Paudel handpicked Prakash Man Singh as the deputy leader. Paudel’s election also signaled that the unification of Nepali Congress is now complete. Paudel had remained with Koirala when the party split in 2002 after Deuba, as Prime Minister, dissolved the house despite opposition from Koirala. Singh was in the Deuba camp then.

Another noteworthy development of the month was the decision by the new government to annul several decisions of the previous government. Thus General Rookmangud Katawal has been retained as the COAS and Lt. General Kul Bahadur Khadka has been sent into retirement effective from June 20. Also the eight brigadiers who were sent into retirement by the Maoist government are now retained by extending their service tenure.