UML Back To Form
IT is not an unnatural thing to hear of
differences cropping up within different political parties, whether it is in Nepal or
elsewhere. In fact, allowing such differing opinions to be voiced on important issues, is
a most democratic culture. However, when differences between leaders lead to a break-up of
a party or any organisation, it is not a healthy trend. Unfortunately, such a thing
happened some four years back, when the Communist Party of Nepal (United
Marxist-Leninist), the biggest political party in the country then, split up because
differences arose amongst its leaders on a major political issue and the leaders of the
break-away faction formed a new party, the CPN (ML). The Nepalese political scenario was
rocked by this unfortunate development and in the long run, though both the split sides
came to power for short periods, the split proved disastrous for both the parties. While
the UML slid behind the Nepali Congress and lost precious seats in the Parliament, the ML
suffered a humiliating rout at the polls. In hindsight, many political observers say that,
the whole political scenario of the country may have changed had the UML not split. Quite
naturally, it was the Nepali Congress which gained politically because of the split in
UML, its arch rival in the elections.
Perhaps realising the miscalculation they
made, the leaders of the UML and ML started throwing feelers for re-unification, specially
in recent times, when the nation has been facing different political challenges. The
attempts finally bore fruit and the other day, the two parties formally announced their
re-unification at the City hall in Kathmandu, the same spot from which they had announced
the party’s split. Of course, it will take time for wounds to heal and also to forget
the acidic barbs the leaders of the two sides had targeted against one another when they
were at loggerheads with one another. But, this burying of the hatchet and merger of two
strong parties is a welcome development for any person who wants to see the consolidation
of the hard won democracy in the country. The presence of strong political parties and a
stable political environment will contribute significantly in overcoming the different
challenges faced by the nation, including threats from terrorist activities. Therefore the
present re-unification of the UML must be taken as a positive development for the nation.
The now stronger UML party, will have to shoulder its responsibilities as the main
opposition party seriously and cooperate with the ruling Nepali Congress to get the
country out from the present difficult times it is facing and lead it to a better future.
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