While we understand the compulsions of our PM – who is leading a 22-party government – to keep his coalition partners happy, it is sad to see him succumb to their unjustified demands time and again. It’s time he stood up and said enough is enough. At the same time, the parties in the coalition, particularly the Madhes-based parties that have eaten up the lion’s share of the ministerial portfolios, too have a responsibility of being more judicious in their demands. Just because this is a fragile coalition does not give them the license to blackmail the PM time and again.
A ministerial position comes with lots of perks and privileges – hence the allure – which is financed by the taxpayers’ money. Because we can do without a lot of existing positions, there is no reason why citizens should be paying to maintain such expensive and unnecessary portfolios. The size of the cabinet has forced the Home Ministry to procure 10 new vehicles to allot to the ministers, which will again, of course, be financed by the taxpayers’ money. This is atrocious.
It’s sad that our political parties and leaders have still not been able to come out of the mentality prevailing immediately after the restoration of democracy in 1990. It will do them and the people they represent a world of good the sooner they realize that this is a transitional government that is essentially responsible for writing the constitution and holding elections. Sadly, on that front, they have proved a disaster so far. It may sound preposterous but the CA rescheduled its calendar of events for the sixth time recently. Before it gets too late, our political parties and leaders need to set their priorities right.
Related story
PM Dahal's Difficulties
