A creeping fear of Nepal looking increasingly like recently privatized Russian public enterprises during the early nineties seems to have materialized. The cast of characters, especially from the UML, that have been awarded ministerial berths doesn't bode well for the nation. The unprecendented asset stripping of previously state run enterprises may have been one of many other reasons that brought the Russian economic giant to its knees in the nineties but a similar scenario seems all set to unfold at a national scale in our own country.
We all know that the much touted "Common Minimum Program" was only but a facade; a cover up for the bargaining that was going on underneath for the spoils of power. Check out the distribution of ministries among parties. It is obvious that UML has bargained hard for ministries easiest to raid. With their resource bases truncated at the grassroots by the Maoists, dwindling "levies" from party cadres, and business support extorted away by the Maoists, they are desperately strapped for cash. Add to that the cost of sponsoring the expensive agitation earlier this year - UML alone is alleged to have incurred Rs. 2 million a day in expenses.
Deuba's cabinet has historically been huge. Maybe, this time around it is understandable as his challenging mandate of bringing the intractable "five parties" into his fold demanded some flexibility (read: enough kursis to lure and keep the support broad). But UML seems to be in for a binge and it won't surprise me if they do indeed come back to the streets to join their mates citing some phony differences with Deuba after a few months.
And we all thought they said enough is enough!
Indeed, a sorry state of affairs in the Nepali political scene. But then again, what's new?
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