Published On: March 24, 2024 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
Irked by PM PK Dahal’s frequent and unpredictable u-turns in forming and abandoning alliances; together with condescending statements coming from NC stalwarts to form alliance with UML, there is a kind of speculation on the air about possible NC-UML coalition. Except the NC-UML coalition, almost all possible options have been tested. What remains to be seen is the coalition between NC and UML - the two big political parties.
Published On: March 20, 2024 08:30 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
During his first parliamentary test in January 2023, PM Dahal secured 99% of the votes. He boasted this as a historical, unprecedented event in Nepali politics. During the second test in February 2023, it plummeted down to 64%. Now the figure stands at 59%. There is more of a puthal (downward movement) than an uthal (upward movement) in the vote of confidence.
Published On: March 11, 2024 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
It will be stupidity to talk about communist unity sans Madhav Kumar Nepal. Seeking to have Nepal and Oli in one place will be like mixing oil with water. And Rabi Lamichhane is another character to manage. Realizing the possible hurdles Prachanda is proposing for dubai haat ma ladoo concept, ie, PM to hold both home and finance ministerial portfolios.
Published On: March 5, 2024 08:32 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
Ever since the Maoists joined mainstream politics, two Nepali phrases, namely, naya satta and satta kabja are in vogue. Basically, the implied meaning of the phrases is to have a new regime (naya satta) replaced by capturing an old state (satta kabja)
Published On: February 8, 2024 08:30 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
With the CBI taking Arun Chaudhary, a renowned businessman, and Ajit N. S. Thapa, the then chairman of Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory (BLSF), into custody related to usurping 10 ropanies of government land belonging to the BLSF, there are lots of mis-information and dis-information campaign going on, particularly, in the social media either to defend the CBI action or to defame Chaudhary.
Published On: February 1, 2024 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
The publication of Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023 marks 20 years of Nepal’s enlistment in global league of corruption perceptions index. Transparency International (TI) started publishing CPI from 1995 onwards, but Nepal got enlisted only from 2004. This is because there were not enough surveys organized for Nepal.
Published On: December 15, 2023 08:30 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
In the shivering winter cold, the decision by Axiata to exit from Nepal has created a heated debate amongst Kathmandu-centric intellectuals (politicians, lawyers, academics, activists and former bureaucrats). However, there is more smoke than fire and/or light in the emotionally charged debate. At the one end of the spectrum, the ultra-nationalistic adrenaline is running high calling how the country is being duped by foreigners and is put on sale. At the other end, pragmatic calls are made not to irritate and disturb foreign direct investment (FDI).
Published On: December 9, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
Don’t judge a book by its cover. This phrase aptly applies to Dr. Bhek Bahadur Thapa’s memoire in Nepali Rastra-Pararastra: Ektantradekhi Ganatantrasamma. My English translation will read like Internal-External: From Autocracy to Republicanism.
Published On: December 2, 2023 08:45 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
The royalists still believe that monarchy was unceremoniously abolished through street demonstrations and agitations, instigated by foreigners. For them even the Constitution is drafted by foreign hands.
Published On: November 23, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
In the text books on negotiation, the standard operating procedure dealing with hostage situations is a straight-forward refusal. One cannot be dictated by kidnapping, blackmailing and held on to a ransom. However, where human lives are involved, in a life and death situation, contingencies may demand a different approach.
Published On: November 20, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
The military structure of Hamas may be crushed or eliminated but the intractable political problems remain intact.
Published On: October 29, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
More than 260,000 Nepalese currently work in Qatar alone. A slight diplomatic slip with Qatar, which is reported to house Hamas HQ, means a foreign policy and economic disaster in Nepal.
Published On: October 7, 2023 10:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
Having reviewed "Singhadurbar: Rise and Fall of the Rana Regime in Nepal" by Sagar S.J.B. Rana (8 July 2017, Republica), I was eagerly awaiting the companion volume. Upon learning that the book is now available in the market, I visited a local bookstore to get a copy.
Published On: August 20, 2023 08:45 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
Scanning social media creates the impression that the Nepal Army is treated as a sacred cow—a virtually untouchable and sacrosanct institution. The slightest criticism leads to a barrage of offensive and defensive counter-criticisms, often escalating to personalized attacks that label the critic as anti-national, a foreign spy, or even a traitor.
Published On: August 8, 2023 09:45 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
The opposition parties’ demand to have an independent commission – parliamentary or judiciary – to investigate the smuggling of nearly one quintal of gold from the airport has raised a fundamental problem that needs to be resolved in the anti-corruption drive in Nepal, that is, who is responsible for controlling corruption in Nepal?
Published On: July 28, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
Reading the news related to the smuggling of nearly one quintal of gold from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) gives an impression of watching a new sequel of Jatra - a Nepali blockbuster comedy-crime thriller.
Published On: July 6, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
Everyone must have heard this famous liner: There is a woman behind every successful man. There is also a converse liner: There is a woman behind every corrupt man; often more than one.
Published On: June 30, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
Normally, it is corruption that is expected to create a crisis in the economy, in the polity and in society. But it is anti-corruption that is creating a crisis in Nepal.
Published On: June 17, 2023 09:30 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
When it comes to fighting corruption, “establishing or strengthening an anti-corruption agency (ACA)” has become a mantra.
Published On: June 3, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar
With the revelation of big scandals like fake refugee and Pashupatinath Jalhari Scams, corruption and its antidote, anti-corruption have become a national pastime or a cliché. Day-in, day-out, the political leaders could be heard expressing their commitments to fight corruption, some going even to an absurd level: When their party comes to power, even dreaming about corruption will be a culpable crime. They make sure that each and every corrupt person will one day have to stand trial in court.