Laudable Agreement

Democratic system sustains and thrives only when the major political actors agree on its common operational process, content and outcomes. It requires following basic principle of democracy where both consensus and majoritarian systems are applied so that concerns of all relevant parties are addressed. Democracy is not a zero-sum game. Winner-takes-all approach is not always productive. Those who have not access to decision-making process are left behind and are unlikely to join the mainstream of development and politics. Despite all differences and mutual bickering, Nepali political parties have demonstrated the spirit of consensus, collaboration and co-work to strengthen the federal democratic dispensation. The political deadlock does not last long. The parties soon realise the need to end unnecessary delays in settling important issues related to the affairs of the state. The collaborative method has been instrumental to make major democratic upheavals possible as well as consolidate their achievements. 

Following the November 20 elections held last year, the major political parties represented in the federal parliament were divided on the formation of parliamentary committee and the endorsement of Bills related to the Constitutional Council and transitional justice. The House committees, considered the mini-parliament active even when sessions are not running, have not yet been constituted. The new Chief Justice has not been appointed for the past 14 months as a bill to amend the Constitutional Council Act-2010 has been stuck in the parliament. The inordinate delay in endorsing the TJ Bill has left the conflict victims high and dry. After weeks of negotiations and parleys, the ruling and opposition parties have finally agreed to form the House panels and give momentum to the vital Bills. 

The other day, a meeting of the top leaders of three major parties – Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-Maoist Centre, and CPN-UML -- have reached an agreement on the sharing of leadership of the parliamentary committees among them. The NC will lead the 15-member Parliamentary Hearing Committee that will have four members from the UML. Likewise, the UML will head the joint committee on State Directives Principles and Policy Monitoring and Implementation. Out of 10 thematic committees of the House of Representatives (HoR), the UML will lead three parliamentary committees, including the Public Affairs Committee. Following the deal, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda registered the amendment Bill on the Constitutional Council and lawmakers discussed it clause-wise. The Bill has sought to amend the decision-making process of the Council and quorum for conducting its meeting. Once the Bill is endorsed, a meeting of the Constitutional Council will soon appoint the Chief Justice. 

Similarly, the parties have concurred to conclude the Bill on transitional justice through a 15-member Special Committee. The next session of the House is scheduled to approve it. The ruling alliance wanted to approve the TJ Bill through a fast track process but the opposition UML insisted on holding clause-wise deliberations on it. Then, Prime Minisster Prachanda proposed a middle way – taking it to a Special Committee before endorsing it from the parliament. The HoR Regulation has, for the first time, brought the provision of forming Special Committee to discuss the Bills of serious nature or sensitive issue. The House will determine the functions and terms of the committee. Lawmakers of thematic committees and experts of related subjects will also be included in it. The understanding and consensus, which the parties showed to sort out the important Bills, need to be reflected in handling the problems of prime importance.