KATHMANDU, June 12: With the support of the largest party in the House of Representatives, the Nepali Congress (NC), KP Sharma Oli, the Chairman of CPN-UML, became the Prime Minister of the country for the fourth time. His government has now completed 11 months in office. Based on performance, Oli’s 11-month tenure has been average.
In a move that goes against the core spirit of the parliamentary system, the first and second largest parties in the House—NC and UML—joined hands, and Oli was appointed Prime Minister for the fourth time on July 14 last year under Article 76 (2) of the Constitution. He assumed office on July 15.
The Oli-led government continues to enjoy the full support of the NC, the largest party in parliament. Oli has the complete trust of NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba. However, like other governments in a hung parliament, speculation about the fall of the Oli government has been ongoing throughout the past 11 months. However, the current government under Oli will not collapse unless NC and its president Deuba withdraw their support.
This government was formed under KP Sharma Oli’s leadership on the foundation of a five-point agreement between the two parties on July 1 last year, aimed at providing political stability, economic development, and constitutional amendments—at a time when citizens were frustrated with constant changes in government.
Although people had high hopes and expectations from this government, public opinion suggests that its performance has not risen above that of previous governments. Even leaders from the ruling parties have publicly admitted that the government has failed to deliver.
NC leader Shekhar Koirala has been expressing his dissatisfaction for several months, saying that although his party is part of the government, it doesn't feel like it. He believes the government has failed to work in the public interest and ensure good governance.
Not only Koirala, but even Prime Minister Oli himself has not been fully satisfied with the government's performance. Most ministers have spent their time attending ceremonies and giving speeches rather than focusing on daily administrative work, resulting in public welfare and reform initiatives being sidelined.
The two major parties that entered into a power-sharing agreement with constitutional amendment as their main agenda seem to have almost forgotten the issue over the past 11 months. At a program held at the party's central office on Tuesday, NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa claimed that the process of constitutional amendment will now move forward. However, PM Oli had earlier stated in a UML meeting that the constitutional amendment would be pursued in the year 2087 BS.
The government continues to face criticism for failing to make progress in economic development and good governance. The issue became more controversial after it was revealed that Min Bahadur Gurung, the owner of Bhatbhateni, who is linked to the illegal transfer of government land at Lalita Niwas into private names, donated assets worth over a billion rupees for the construction of the UML party office. This has further weakened public trust in the government's commitment to good governance.
Questions are also raised about the credibility of the powerful government and coalition when it failed to appoint a new Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank on time. NC spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat publicly admitted during a program that the controversy surrounding the appointment had brought the government and coalition to the brink of collapse.
In addition, the controversy surrounding visit visas and the involvement of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has disrupted the House of Representatives sessions for several days. While coalition parties appear united in support of Home Minister Lekhak on the surface, party insiders say the issue has deepened suspicion and mistrust within both the NC and the UML.
The removal of Kulman Ghising from his position as Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority has also weakened public trust in the government.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Special Investigation Committee submitted a report to the government stating that Rs 87.89 billion was misappropriated from 40 cooperatives.
In connection with the cooperative fraud case, the government arrested and detained Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane. However, the government is being criticized for not bringing other individuals under investigation. The public has perceived this as biased action.
Taking advantage of this situation, voices questioning the entire political system have grown louder. Royalist and anti-constitution forces have become more active, claiming that the system itself needs to be changed in order to bring real reform.
In late September last year, the government's lack of urgency in rescuing and providing relief to flood and landslide victims across Kathmandu and other regions became a source of mockery and criticism. During that period, 5,916 private homes were completely destroyed, 12,477 houses were partially damaged, and 10,807 families were fully displaced due to floods and landslides.
Due to unsafe roads and delays in road construction, many middle- and upper-class Nepalis have turned to air travel. However, Nepal Airlines and aviation safety have become increasingly pressing concerns.
The Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation had planned to form a commission to seek solutions by reviewing past aviation accident investigation reports, but that initiative has yet to materialize. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development had gained attention by ensuring payments to sugarcane and dairy farmers, but he has failed to maintain that momentum. On the contrary, he himself has acknowledged that dairy farmers are still owed Rs 5 billion.
The Foreign Minister has been active in expanding relations with neighboring and friendly countries. The government also claims progress in strengthening these ties. However, during this period, there has yet to be a visit by the Prime Minister to the southern neighbor, India. Critics of the Foreign Minister often highlight this issue when assessing her success.
Although the federal government has stated it will not allocate budgets for projects under Rs 30 million in the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY), the Ministry of Urban Development has been criticized for including budgets for projects as small as Rs 100,000, such as office construction for party-affiliated organizations.
Amid criticisms that budgets without secured funding pose challenges in implementation, former minister and NC leader Minendra Rijal has claimed that the budget presented in parliament for FY 2025/26 is no different from the current year's budget.He has also commented that the public has yet to feel the impact of a powerful government formed by the NC and UML coalition.
The Health Minister has been active in organizing health insurance and providing affordable treatment for the general public, but past dues are still pending payment.