The international community is closely watching on the results of the recently-held House of Representatives (HoR) and Provincial Assembly (PA) elections in Nepal. Neighboring India, China and the superpower America, which are more important in Nepal's foreign relations, are directly or indirectly showing their interest in what kind of government will be formed in the Himalayan country. Against this backdrop, Nepalkhabar talked to Dr. Nihar Nayak, a Nepal affairs expert and research fellow with Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. Excerpts:
How is Nepal’s election result in the eyes of New Delhi?
The election is purely an internal affair of Nepal. The election results came out mixed. Because the big parties of Nepal contested the elections by forming an alliance rather than alone. No party got a clear majority. As a close neighbor, it is natural for India to be concerned about this election. Nepali Congress (NC) has emerged as the largest party. It seems that the current ruling coalition will get a majority in the parliament. Of course, this is a good news for India. The regional parties based in the Madhes fared poorly in the elections. CK Raut's Janamat Party and Resham Chaudhary's Nagarik Unmukti Party emerged as the new political forces in the southern plains.
Major parties have already initiated a process to form a new government. How will India proceed with cooperation with the new government?
So far, it seems that the existing ruling coalition is likely to form the government. India is happy about this. The NC-Maoist Center-Unified Socialist alliance is also comfortable for India. However, at least six top leaders are aspiring for the post of prime minister within the ruling coalition, including five from the NC and Maoist Center Chairman Prachanda.
In addition to Deuba, Gagan Thapa, Ram Chandra Paudel and Prakash Man Singh are staking claim for the post of the prime minister from the NC. Consensus within the ruling coalition is necessary for the plum posts including the Prime Minister, President, and Speaker. The parties have to find a way out to finalize the power sharing through dialogues. The ruling coalition will face crisis in the future unless there is an agreement on these positions. UML Chairman KP Oli is also learnt to have been trying to form a government under his leadership. But so far, his wish is unlikely to be fulfilled. To fulfill Oli's wish, there should be an agreement between the Maoist Center and the UML. However, this possibility cannot be ruled out. But so far it doesn't look like that. But if Oli offers Prachanda the premiership, it may be possible.
You said that the result of this election is good news for India. Is the NC-Maoist alliance geopolitically convenient for India?
Absolutely. India and China have their own interests and concerns in Nepal. As I said earlier, the continuation of the current power coalition is comfortable for India. In doing so, the ongoing cooperation between Nepal and India will be further strengthened. The two countries will continue the work initiated in the field of water resources. India will prioritize relations with Nepal as per its Neighborhood First Policy.
