Nepal :Political Vacuum and Search for New Government

Nepal’s political landscape is currently in a state of intense uncertainty. Here’s a summary of the latest developments as of this morning.
Political Vacuum and Search for New Government
The primary focus is on forming a new government to fill the power vacuum left by Mr. Oli’s departure. Nepal’s President, Ram Chandra Poudel, has formally initiated the constitutional process, calling on political parties to stake their claim to form a majority coalition government.
In the interim, K.P. Sharma Oli is expected to lead a caretaker government with limited powers, primarily to oversee essential state functions until a new administration is sworn in.
Intense Negotiations Among Major Parties
Behind the scenes, the major political parties are engaged in frantic negotiations. The main opposition party, the Nepali Congress led by Sher Bahadur Deuba, and the CPN (Maoist Centre) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, are at the forefront of discussions to form a new ruling coalition.
Discussions are reportedly centered on power-sharing agreements, including the post of Prime Minister and other key ministries. The smaller political parties have become crucial kingmakers in the effort to secure a parliamentary majority.
Uneasy Calm in Kathmandu
Following the resignation of PM Oli, which was the primary demand of the protestors, an uneasy calm has descended over Kathmandu. The widespread violent protests have subsided, but the situation remains tense.
Security forces maintain a heavy presence in the capital to prevent any fresh flare-ups of violence. While the immediate trigger of the protest (a social media ban) was resolved, the underlying public anger over corruption, unemployment, and governance remains a significant challenge for the incoming leadership.
In summary, Nepal is currently navigating a delicate political transition. The immediate challenge for its leaders is to form a stable government, while the long-term task will be to address the deep-seated public grievances that led to this week’s unprecedented uprising.