With his reputation of a decisive leader, someone capable of making unpopular decisions and sticking with them through thick and thin, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli could have done so much for the country. To start with he could have appointed a lean cabinet comprising of carefully chosen ministers with proven track record of public service. Instead he chose to appoint one of the biggest cabinets (40 ministers and growing) in Nepal's democratic history, purely on the basis of political affiliations of the appointees. He could have, likewise, facilitated people's access to cooking and vehicle fuel. Instead he has abetted black-marketing in these products by failing to take action against government officials implicated in the 'disappearance' of these vital fuels imported from India. He could also have taken the initiative to hold meaningful talks with the Madheshi parties. Instead he seems to have adopted a misguided policy of tiring out these Madheshi parties, which in turn is adding to the appeal of extremist forces in the Tarai belt. In other words, Prime Minister Oli has spent all his political capital trying to protect his government, through every imaginable means.Oli sadly represents the norm rather than an exception of the kind of political leaders we have had at the helm in recent times. All politicians are opportunistic and ambitious. But while some look to channel their ambition for the country's good, most others have no qualms about using public office to expand their personal cult and patronage network. Oli, as we can all see, falls firmly on the latter camp. Otherwise it's inconceivable that while the earthquake victims were dying because of the cold, instead of getting them quick help, Oli was preoccupied with how he could expand his cabinet and extend his tenure as prime minister. He still is. If nothing else, the new prime minister was expected to open new trade links with China, or, alternately, take India into confidence and get it to remove the embargo. Oli has done neither. He hasn't even seriously tried. The one-time confidante of the Indian establishment clearly doesn't want to burn the old bridge with India, but aware that people are in favor of closer ties with China, Oli also wants them to continue to believe that he is serious about China. Oli would do well to realize that ultimately it's what he does—rather than what he says—that counts with the people.
We understand that these are not normal times and that it would be a mistake to expect miracles from our political leaders, whosoever they might be. But how does the Oli government justify the kind of complete abdication of even its basic duties we are currently witnessing? Isn't a democratic government accountable to its people? Isn't it supposed to operate on the universal democratic principle of check and balance? What gives the prime minister the right to so blatantly misuse his office? The prime minister, as the guardian of the country, must behave more responsibly. Perhaps Oli is perfectly happy with the status quo. But people are not. If he is not careful this popular anger could soon turn against him and his corrupt government.
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