Gopal Khanal

The formation of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) after the unification of two communist Parties - CPN (UML) and UCPN (Maoist Centre) was historic move not only in the country's communist movement, but also in the life of national politics. It reflected the vision and moment of the creation of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) in Nepal in 1949. The unity of two big political parties having identical theoretical and philosophical grounds, have indeed consolidated democracy. This was a reason why the move was greeted with big enthusiasm and hope.

People’s agenda
But, if some have thought of elevating themselves to the higher rung of power by unifying the two big communist parties, leaving aside the people's agenda, it will be futile. Such a unification that aims to challenge the existence of each other can boomerang. We believe the NCP will not experience such disastrous situation and everything is going to be all right. The merger of two ideologically and culturally distinct communist parties was an epoch making development for addressing the people's aspirations of development and prosperity. It had busted the myth that Nepali communists only indulge in splits and disintegration. In that sense it was a quantum leap in the history of Nepali communist movement.
KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, deciding to form the powerful single communist party in Nepal, had kept in mind the need of political stability in the country to eradicate poverty and underdevelopment. The frequent changes of the government under the unholy coalition had made the people desperate, generating disgust towards politics and parties. Political instability has always hit hard the nation and people, eroding the policy consistency and accountability of political and bureaucratic leadership.
Thus, the emergence of NCP was a response to historic necessity of ending vicious cycle of instability fuelled by lust for power and disregard for the greater benefit to the people. Prime Minister Oli's first premiership had generated hopes and he had also made commitment not to let down the people. The Prime Minister has demonstrated his will to carry forward the projects of national pride as well as fight the COVID-19 global pandemic. Prime Minister Oli has been relentlessly making efforts to leave a good imprint on the people by carrying out something extra and unprecedented.
The present situation is not so bad as has been reported by some sections of people, who, have been from the very beginning dishonestly portraying the Prime Minister. Unfortunately, some senior leaders of the party have also joined them against the government.
After more than two years in office, Prime Minister Oli have been irrationally grilled by not outsiders but by his own colleagues. They are roasting the PM not for the larger cause of nation building, but for fulfilling their petty personal interest.
The party Standing Committee had managed to keep intact the unity by endorsing a proposal of its secretariat. It had clearly divided the responsibilities between PM Oli and Prachanda - Oli to focus on the government performance and Prachanda to concentrate on party’s activities. This was a transitional management of two chairmen, which symbolised the coexistence of former parties, but this temporary provision of co-chair system appeared to be defective for the NCP.
The recurring internal conflicts have given a wrong message that it was a blunder to unify the parties. The saddest part on the side of the people is that even the overwhelming majority of the single communist party cannot rule the nation properly.
The COVID-19 crisis has further deepened. People have been looking for strong and effective presence of the government to support them in this most difficult time but the ruling party leaders are not paying attention to them. Some leaders have been indulging in the unfair games for getting important portfolios in the cabinet. Prachanda has so far never been seen involving in policy discourse, his sole aim is to unseat Prime Minister Oli from both the government and the party. Such suicidal thought will eventually bite the dust.
The only alternative to the leaders of NCP is again to put aside their egos and interest and stay firm with the party unity. For this, the solution is simple. The NCP should function according to the agreements reached during the party unification. If the agreements are not implemented properly or if there is minor deviation, they can be considered with a condition that its unity spirit is on track.
The two chairmen are the mascots of the party, but it doesn't mean that other leaders of the party should be undermined in formulating policies and carry forward the party functions. Prachanda should understand that he will not succeed Oli if he gets involved in a wrangling to oust him through illegitimate methods.

Sink or swim
If this government succeeds to rule for five years, addressing the aspirations of people as committed in the poll manifesto, other leaders will have their turn to lead the governments. Otherwise, the NCP will be remembered only in history. The CPI-M ruled West Bengal for 34 years with major influence in the India's central politics. Like the CPI-M, the NCP is also heading to reduce itself into a minnow just in the period of five years if it deviates from its stated goals.
It's up to the leaders to choose which way they want to tread: sink or swim.

(Khanal is consulting editor at Gorkhapatra Corporation. khanalbro@gmail.com)