FEB 20, KATHMANDU.
Madhes-centric parties that played the role of 'KINGMAKER' in the last Constituent Assembly ( CA ) have exerted considerably less influence this time around.
While Madhes-centric parties were not seriously consulted during the government formation process, a majority of their members voted against Koirala in the prime ministerial election. Madhesi leaders maintain that they are apprehensive about the Koirala government's ability to address their concerns, including that of citizenship, inclusion and proportional representation within state organs.
According to analysts, the Madhesi parties have lost their strategic hold in the process of government formation. With the NC and CPN-UML attempting to forge a deal for Cabinet expansion, analysts believe that, given the numbers, Madhesi parties have no role in government formation for the time being.
“The numerical strength of the two largest parties must have made them feel that Madhesi parties are no longer crucial for government formation,” said Sarvendra Shukla, general secretary of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party. But he was quick to add that his party is focusing on constitution-writing and forwarding the Madhesi agenda. “Past experience suggests that if we become part of the government during the constitution writing process then we have to compromise our agenda,” Shukla said.
Echoing Shukla, analyst Chandrakishore said that the numerical strength of the NC and UML has prompted them to 'ignore' Madhesi parties. Chandrakishore argued that the challenge before Madhesi parties is to prove that they can be even more effective if they are not part of the government, adding that precedent suggests that joining government would weaken the chances of Madhesi parties to secure their agendas in an effective way.
Madhes-centric parties that played the role of 'KINGMAKER' in the last Constituent Assembly ( CA ) have exerted considerably less influence this time around.
While Madhes-centric parties were not seriously consulted during the government formation process, a majority of their members voted against Koirala in the prime ministerial election. Madhesi leaders maintain that they are apprehensive about the Koirala government's ability to address their concerns, including that of citizenship, inclusion and proportional representation within state organs.
According to analysts, the Madhesi parties have lost their strategic hold in the process of government formation. With the NC and CPN-UML attempting to forge a deal for Cabinet expansion, analysts believe that, given the numbers, Madhesi parties have no role in government formation for the time being.
“The numerical strength of the two largest parties must have made them feel that Madhesi parties are no longer crucial for government formation,” said Sarvendra Shukla, general secretary of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party. But he was quick to add that his party is focusing on constitution-writing and forwarding the Madhesi agenda. “Past experience suggests that if we become part of the government during the constitution writing process then we have to compromise our agenda,” Shukla said.
Echoing Shukla, analyst Chandrakishore said that the numerical strength of the NC and UML has prompted them to 'ignore' Madhesi parties. Chandrakishore argued that the challenge before Madhesi parties is to prove that they can be even more effective if they are not part of the government, adding that precedent suggests that joining government would weaken the chances of Madhesi parties to secure their agendas in an effective way.
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