The Sushil Koirala government was formed with one purpose: to complete the long-delayed task of writing the new constitution. His 15 months at the helm have seen no progress on this front, and in the aftermath of the Great Earthquake, a timely constitution was starting to look even less probable. But we could still be in for a welcome surprise. The tragedy seems to have acted as a bridge between the ruling and opposition parties. This is why, we are told, there has been an understanding among the four major political forces to fast-track the constitutional process and to collectively forge ahead in the task of rebuilding the devastated country. The nitty-gritty is yet to be worked out, but caution would be advised. So many times in recent past Nepalis have heard about a 'decisive' breakthrough, and each time they have been bitterly disappointed. This is because the ruling and opposition parties continue to be poles apart on the most contentious constitutional issue of federalism. A political compromise thus won't be as easy as it is being made to appear.In our view, a government change at this difficult juncture will be justified only if there is a broad political understanding on new constitution as well as on reconstruction and rebuilding Nepal. Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, speaking in Gorkha on Saturday, assured the people that such an agreement was close at hand. Then, on Sunday, the four parties agreed to fast-track the constitution. There might be something to it. Both Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai have in the past few days been seen making the rounds of KP Oli's Balkot residence. Prime Minister Koirala has also been hinting that a government of national unity is what the country needs right now. These are all positive signs. But will the outward thawing of relationship between the ruling and opposition parties lead to something substantive?
Again, if the political class is really committed to building back a stronger, more resilient country, they need to first agree on a new constitution. What better way to show the people that our political parties, at this time of national crisis, are capable of rising above their partisan interests and collectively working to rebuild the devastated country? Otherwise, simply changing the prime minister to serve some vested interests makes absolutely no sense, when all our energies should be directed at rebuilding Nepal. We are also far from convinced that having all political parties in government, and as such no credible opposition, is good for a country reputed as one of the most corrupt in the world. But if a broad agreement is close at hand and our political parties are close to a constitution, there could be no bigger gift to the Nepalis and no bigger source of hope. Over the last eight years our political class as a whole has failed to inspire any hope among common people. We doubt the current negotiations will lead to something meaningful. But we will be happily proven wrong.
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