What next?

Prime Minster Jhalanath Khanal on Wednesday reiterated his commitment to resign on 13 August if the peace process makes no headway by then.

Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari read out the PM’s speech in the parliament on behalf of Khanal as he has been unwell for the past few days. “If a national consensus will not be built by 13 August, the coalition will prove a failure,” the statement reads. “Peace and constitution are priority agendas of the nation. It should not be made an issue of win or defeat of a specific party or community.”

The main opposition NC had been obstructing the parliamentary proceedings for eight straight times demanding immediate resignation from the prime minister as per the five point deal, paving way for forming a national consensus government.

Khanal himself had set 13 August deadline to form a national consensus to the public as well as his party. It is not only the opposition but also a faction of his party is critical about Khanal exercising his prerogative in giving home ministry to the Maoists and inducting 24 Maoist ministers in his cabinet ahead of leaving the post.

NC had pressed for the PM's resignation but it has not thought about what the next step will be after Khanal’s resignation. “We still have two days to work out for a national unity government, which is the need of the hour,” says Arjun Narsingh KC. He ruled out a Maoist-led government unless the past agreements are implemented and the party disarmed completely. “NC had started the peace process and the onus lies on us to conclude it,” he told nepalitimes.com.

There are two candidates lobbying for prime ministerial candidacy within his party. Three-time prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has been demanding that he be chosen as prime ministerial candidate retaining Ram Chandra Poudel as parliamentary party leader. For that NC will have to amend its party statute that entitle parliamentary party leader as prime ministerial candidate.

The central committee meeting of UML has been postponed due to party chair’s ill health. Khanal inducted Maoist ministers going against the Standing Committee decision. It has been learnt that he would call the meeting only after 13 August, meaning there will be a nomination of prime ministerial candidate only after that.

UCPN (Maoist) has named Baburam Bhattarai to lead the national unity government. However, the party has not decided who would be the candidate in case of majority government. Talking to a select group of reporters Monday, Bhattarai said he would never lead a majority government.

NC has begun discussions on the party’s prime ministerial candidate and UML will come up with a candidate after central committee. National unity government is unlikely. With Khanal’s resignation, Nepali politics has entered the selection process that can again drag on for months while the main tasks remains untouched.