EDITOR'S NOTE

The Nepali Congress Bhattarai government is in crisis. Despite the overall majority in the parliament Prime Minister Bhattarai has not been able to steer his government smoothly. Induction of persons with blackest of records in the cabinet generated aversion and opposition against the Prime Minister right from the word "Go". Not only the people of Nepal, even his close associates in his own party could not approve of his choice of colleagues in the cabinet. On top of that the persons he selected to work for him in his private office eroded whatever faith was left behind in his wisdom. Bhattarai, consequently, could not make a promising start in the most important role of his life. It is, indeed, undeniable that had it not been for the magnanimity of his life long friend and rival Girija Prasad Koirala, he would never have been elected to the parliament and become the elected prime minister of the country. But the inherent mutual distrust and animosity subsisting between them did not take long to surface in the open. Fanned by chamaleonic sycophants on both sides, the animosity started hurting not only the principal characters themselves but the country as well. Girija Koirala, we do believe, is ruing the haste he had made in projecting Bhattarai as prime minister before the general elections. Perhaps, this was his biggest blunder. And, he sure is paying for it. And with him the country is also made to suffer for non-performance in the government and political instability inspite of the over all majority of the ruling party  in the parliament. Besides, that the appointment of the Governor of the Rashtra Bank should become an issue between the prime minister and the finance minister and the latter should resign from the cabinet can be termed nothing but unfortunate. What sordid forces have influenced the course of events in this matter are for the readers to guess. That the prime minister has the ultimate responsibility for the government and has the authority to over-ride the decision of any minister is irrefutable. But to start a confrontation with a senior minister at the abutment of sycophants may not be good for the health of the government. As reports go, the prime minister has dismissed the finance minister and won the battle. But the war, people say, is not over yet. We may not have to wait for long to see some interesting repercussions.

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The long awaited ordeal of Ram Chandra Poudel seems to be over. By the time, this print come out of the press, Poudel would have taken the oath as Deputy Prime Minister. Apart from the induction of Poudel and transfer of Ram Sharan Mahat, the prime minister has not made any big shakeover in his cabinet. How far this small adjustment will grant strength and stability to the government is any body's guess. But to keep the important ministry of Foreign Affairs headless when the prime minister himself seems to be much incapacitated to work hard due to his failing health is definitely not a good decision. At a time when the very foreign policy of the government has been the butt of criticism, prime minister taking over the portfolio himself may reflect diplomatic immaturity. Knowing the caliber of his close advisers and his lack of seriousness, knowledgeable people seem to be concerned. Anyway, we would not like to miss this opportunity of extending our congratulations to the new Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel.

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