Pallav Bhusal

The Nepali Congress’ (NC) distress to act as an effective opposition against Nepal Communist Party’s (NCP) government with nearly two-thirds majority continues to grow as its shadow government appears to be unable to leave its mark on the national politics. The shadow government has woken up on the heels of corruption scandals that have engulfed the ruling party but it did little in whipping the government over an array of public issues.
One gauges its ineffectiveness from its delay in holding the meeting. It held first meeting nine months after it was formed. Some powerful leaders assigned to lead the shadow ministerial portfolios failed to show up in the meeting.

Internal mismanagement
The shadow government sprang into action after former minister for Communication and Information Technology Gokul Prasad Baskota was dragged into an audio tape scam. Shadow cabinet chief and opposition leader Sher Bahadur Deuba have recently instructed its ministers to dig into the government’s policy level decisions that smell of irregularities. The shadow government consists of 21 lawmakers including some senior party leaders, such as Narayan Khadka (foreign affairs), Gagan Thapa (health), Dilendra Prasad Badu (home), and Minendra Rijal (finance). But they have failed to achieve anything significant.
The effectiveness of the shadow cabinet has been strained by the internal mismanagement of the party that has paid little attention to the contents of the vital bills presented in the House. Some of the shadow ministers seem indifferent towards the issues of corruption involving the public office holders. It is a universal practice for opposition parties to keep an eye on the activities of the government. The opposition moves to confront the government in case it makes unpopular decisions and policies.
NC spokesman Bishwo Prakash Sharma said that although the shadow government seemed to have done little, it had monitored every step of the government and raised voices against its wrongdoing in the parliament.
“The shadow government acts as the watchdog of the government and its ministers. Our shadow ministers have always raised their voices when the government has overstepped the constitutional boundary and parliamentary norms. They are working effectively to point to the faults and controversial decisions of the government,” added Sharma.
The party representatives in the parliament have continuously protested controversial issues of the government. They have exposed the government’s failure to find out the culprits behind the rape and murder of Nirmala Panta and demanded investigation into the audio tape scandal involving former minister Baskota.
“I believe that the shadow government is doing its best. They are defending constitution and basic values of democracy,” claimed Sharma, adding that the NC had stood by democratic principles and values to make sure that parliament system remains the only way to govern the nation.
In the recent meeting of shadow ministers, NC leader Surendra Pandey called for making public the hidden cases of corruption. The meeting has produced energy to make the ministers active. NC Chief Whip Balkrishna Khand has threatened to replace those shadow ministers whose performance is found to be unsatisfactory.
Dev Prasad Gurung, Chief Whip of ruling NCP, said that it was democratic right of the opposition party to have its own shadow government.
“The ruling NPC respects the opposition as an integral part of the state. It is a healthy practice that helps the government to stay on track. It should help the government make beneficial policies for the people and country through parliamentary system,” said Gurung.
He said that the NC formed the shadow government to monitor the works done by the government. “But, such shadow system should not disturb the right policies put forward by the government. The opposition sometime creates unnecessary hassles in the parliament that disrupt the parliamentary schedule and policy making agenda. The shadow ministers should give advice to implement policies within the ambit of the constitution.”
The practice of shadow government started from the UK. It offers a good platform to watch the activities of the government. However, its effectiveness is always questioned if its outcome is not up to the mark. Similar question can be asked about role of the NC-led shadow government. If NC is to play an effective role as an opposition in the parliament, the NC lawmakers should double their efforts to strengthen their position in the parliament.
The ruling NCP has welcomed the NC’s move and expressed commitment to support the shadow government. Likewise, the NC expects creative support from the government and ministries for the smooth and proper functioning of the government and the parliament.

Responsibility
It is imperative for the opposition to increase its influence in the House at a time when it is facing criticism that it has become very weak. It should set an example that opposition plays constructive role in the people’s supreme body. However, it must refrain from being engaged in irrational moves and activities that hinder the rational initiative of the government. Opposition’s creative role always promotes democracy and inherent values spelt out in the constitution. The shadow cabinet is a viable instrument for it to fulfill its duty and responsibility.

(Bhusal is the TRN journalist)