We would like to extend a hearty congratulation to Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli who has been elected the 38th prime minister of Nepal. And we hope his tenure is fruitful, as fruitful as the term of his immediate predecessor, Sushil Koirala. Despite his rather ignominious exit—after being soundly beaten by the CPN-UML Chairman in Sunday's prime ministerial voting—Koirala's legacy as the prime minister who was able to deliver a constitution through the Constituent Assembly, a seven-decade-old dream of Nepalis, is secure. True, Koirala could have had a more dignified way out by pulling out of prime minister's race. That would have been befitting the prime minister who had repeatedly told Nepalis that he had no hunger for power (a hard-sell from a seasoned politician) and would quit as prime minister the day after the promulgation of new constitution (which sounded a lot more credible). Koirala, whatever the pressures on him to continue as prime minister, badly botched his final act in Singha Durbar. But now that the dye's been cast what does Oli-the-prime-minister bring to the table?Frankly, there is unlikely to be a drastic change between Koirala's premiership and that of KP Oli. Yes, the two are a study in contrast. While the soft-spoken Koirala is by nature a conciliator who likes to take everyone on board on important issues, the outspoken Oli is not afraid to stick his neck out and make controversial decisions. But as the head of a government with a thin majority, Oli's options are limited. Even though Nepali Congress will now be in the opposition, there is no alternative to the Big Three continuing to work together to gain the confidence of protesting Madheshis and Tharus. The last-minute decision of Congress to ditch the gentleman's agreement with UML—according to which Sushil Koirala would lead the government until the promulgation of new constitution, after which he would pass the baton to Oli—has certainly increased the distance between the two parties. But, again, there is no alternative to the two continuing to working together to bail the country out of the current crisis.
Then, there is India. Notwithstanding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's phone call on Sunday to congratulate his new Nepali counterpart and invite him, Oli has in recent times has clearly not had cordial relation with New Delhi. The feeling in Delhi is that Oli is 'China's man'; which is why India had been lobbying for continuation of Sushil Koirala as prime minister. That India should have tried to so openly meddle in Nepal was unfortunate. But a change in Nepal is also an opportunity for India to rethink its muscular tactics, which have been highly counterproductive. Much will depend on the tact of the new prime minister. Rather than play the two neighbors against one another, he should try to normalize relations with both India and China. He should be able to impress on India that increasing Nepal's economic linkages with China and other countries should not be perceived as trying to subvert India in Nepal. But the biggest test of Oli will be mending his frosty relationship with protesting Madheshi parties and adjusting them in the new constitution. Who knows, the Class-Ten-Pass may have one more trick up his sleeve.
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