No consensus yet in Nepal

Consensus or sahamati is the most commonly used term in Nepali politics these days. Everyone across the political spectrum agree that it must be achieved to end the ongoing political deadlock.

Updated on: Aug 13, 2010, 23:53:55 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Consensus or sahamati is the most commonly used term in Nepali politics these days. Everyone across the political spectrum agree that it must be achieved to end the ongoing political deadlock.

But 44 days after Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned, political parties in the Himalayan nation are yet to arrive at it. Four rounds of voting to elect a new prime minister have failed to elicit any result.

The next face off between Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Poudel on August 18 will also meet a similar outcome unless something dramatic happens. Quite possible in Nepal where politicians are known to find last minute Quick Fix solutions.

The stalemate has affected the peace and constitution drafting processes and has worried India as well. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran as special envoy to hold talks with all big political players and end the impasse ahead of the fourth round of voting.

Stressing India was not intervening in government formation, the former Ambassador to Nepal held meetings with Maoists, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Madheshi parties.

But abstention by CPM-UML (108 members) and United Democratic Madhesi Forum —the umbrella group of four-Madhesi parties (83 members) ensured another dud in the fourth round of voting.

With pressure mounting to find a way out, parties are again busy in meetings to find the missing sahamati.

CPN-UML wants both candidates to withdraw from the contest and is seeking a change in rules to end continuous rounds of voting till a prime minister is elected.

A faction within the party is of the view that instead of remaining neutral, it should support one of the candidates to end the deadlock.

The Maoists have shown willingness to bend, but with a rider. The party says it will withdraw from the prime minister’s race, but wants Poudel to take the lead.

Wary that the Maoists might backtrack, Nepali Congress has decided to stay put in the contest till a result is reached.

In such a scenario, CPM-UML and the Madhesi parties are likely to remain neutral in the fifth round of voting as well.

If that happens, consensus will be casualty again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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