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From New Power to New Alliance: Rise of Alternative Force in Nepal to Challenge the Regime: Dr.Geeta Kochhar Jaiswal

By: Dr. Geeta Kochhar Jaiswal,Jawaharlal Nehru University, In the drastic twist of events that were a part of long undercurrent of distress and unhappiness brewing among many political power centers in Nepal, Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai along with the incumbent Deputy Prime Minister Upendra Yadav recently announced the formation of a new alliance Party named as “Samajwadi Party Nepal’. The objective of the new alliance is clearly articulated in the agreement, which also projects the aspirations of many Terai based parties and people.

The Party plans to work for the institutionalization of federal democratic republic, seek constitutional amendments for parity, and contribute towards sustainable development of Nepal. Does these new propositions pose any challenge to the existing regime, which came as a majority mandate of the population? On a cursory note, probably there seems no tremors for the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led by Prime Minister Kadga Prasad Oil, as many view Baburam’s Naya Shakti Party (New Power Party) as a weak power to have had any significant impact in the last elections. However, if we take a broader and long term view, there is more than meets the eye.

Discontent of Parties in Terai and Need for Change

The recent political changes and lack of institutionalization of federal state functioning governance system has created a fertile ground for discontent among many parties in the Terai region of Nepal. The demands raised by RAJPA for the treatment of Resham Chaudhary, the internal tussle for demands for amendment in the constitution, the internal rift in the Forum, and authoritative nature of NCP administration has all culminated into a greater discontent leading the parties in Terai region to demand a change of the present situation.

Besides, many parties in Terai region including RAJPA are in a tussle with the government due to various non-redress al of issues and are under huge pressure from the masses for their inability to represent their voices in the government and demand proportional representation in Constituent Assembly. Since the 2015 protests in Terai region where many hundreds lost their lives demanding the change in the constitution, only empty promises have been made by the present regime. However, the masses feel that nothing concrete has changed since the new government is given mandate by the masses.

Interestingly, Baburam Bhattarai was a major supporter of the demands of the Madhesi people in Terai region calling for constitutional amendment. This gives him a greater support not only of the masses, but also of the Upendra Yadav’s party to raise the issues in a much more institutional manner. The beginning of this progression is visible with the strengthened structure being created with the new party. The new Party will have one Chairman; while Upendra Yadav will Chair the Central Committee. Besides, there are eight Vice-Chairpersons: Renu Kumari Yadav, Lal babu Raut, Navaraj Subedi, Rakam Chemjong, Parshuram Khapung, Yubaraj Karki, Hemraj Rai, and Hisila Yami. It will also have three deputy general secretaries, three secretaries, and a treasurer. This in itself is the first step of forming a strong alternate force that is devoid of internal clashes for power and position; while the current NCP is still struggling to make a clarity among its cadres and many conflicts continue at various levels.

Ideological Foundation of the Party

Baburam Bhattarai, who will be the Chairman of the federal council of the New Party, was a close protege of Prachanda who is now no. 2 in the NCP Party of PM Oli. Their ideological foundation has more similarities than the visible differences that cropped in recent years. The essential component of the New party reverberates the sentiments of Baburam Bhattarai albeit in a new formulation ‘Prosperous Federal Socialism’. It must be noted that the years of turmoil and civil war in Nepal also had the same foundations of rooting out oppression and creating equality under the banner of Maoist revolution.

Today, the banner is changed but the issues remain that have created greater discontent and unhappiness among the masses. The Maoist insurgency that emerged and grew in the socio-economic and political conditions became a major political force to challenge the state and completely changed the socio-economic fabric of Nepal. In fact, after Prachanda’s tryst with Maoist insurgency, in recent years, Dr. C.K Raut had emerged as a strong luring force for many youngsters in the Terai region to take up an armed conflict with the regime.

Although, Dr. C.K Raut had reached an 11 point agreement with the Oli government by coercion or willingness, the delusion of many youngsters has casted a dark shadow over terai region. There is enhanced talk of throwing away the regressive and corrupt regime through violent or non-violent means. The vacuum hence has created space for this alternative force to collate the required energy and build the foundation of a new party calling for good governance and bringing prosperity.

Baburam has made articulation to launch a decisive movement if the government does not address the issues of parity in the constitution. As the faith on the communist led regime dwindles in Nepal and the other alternative power i.e. National Congress Party is on a rapid decline due to extreme internal rifts, this alternative emergent power will be a game changer in Nepali politics provided they are able to pressurize the government to speed up the process of redressal of issues of all sections of the society. In addition, if as desired by Upendra Yadav, RAJPA also join hands with this new formation in the near future, the current regime will face major blow to its stability.

 

Dr. Geeta Kochhar Jaiswal, Jawaharlal Nehru University,

By: Dr. Geeta Kochhar Jaiswal,Jawaharlal Nehru University

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