Nepal elections: Left alliance wins majority
WORRY FOR INDIA? Oli’s campaign wants to extend China rail network to Nepal
KATHMANDU: Left Alliance in Nepal has won clear majority in federal parliament elections of Nepal, winning 83 seats out of 165, and will form the new government. They will also rule in all seven provinces, a first of its kind in Nepal’s history.
The democratic alliance led by ruling Nepali Congress party managed only 15 seats and two separate Madhes-based factions were struggling below 10 seats.
The left alliance is leading several constituencies while Nepali Congress is struggling to make it beyond 15 seats.
Former prime minister K PO li looked set for a return to power after winning his seat, and his Communist U ML party and Maoist allies on course to win a majority.
Counting is still underway following the elections that finished on Thursday, cap ping a near- decade long transition to democracy from monarchy and a civil war in which more than 17,000 people died.
Oli, 65, has vowed to form a government that lasts its full five-year term, something no prime minister has achieved since parliamentary democracy was established in 1990.
His campaign has called for the extension of the Chinese railway network into Nepal and implement of hydroelectric, airport and other infrastructure projects to create jobs.
“We can expect Oli to lead a stable government with the Maoists as strong allies ,” said Bipin
We can expect Oli to lead a stable government with the Maoists as strong allies. Once there is political stability he can implement a development agenda BIPIN ADHIKARI, constitutional expert
Ad hi kari, a constitutional expert. “Once there is political stability he can implement a development agenda and attract foreign investment .”
Instability has spooked investors, curbed growth, spur red corruption and slowed reconstruction after a 2015 earthquake that killed 9,000 people.
Nepal is a natural buffer between China and India, with the ruling Nepali Congress party considered pro-India and the left alliance seen closer to China.
“If Oli leads the new government, he will be forced to be pragmatic in maintaining a geo- political balance with both ,” said Ku nd a Dix it, editor of the weekly Nepali Times.
Final election results are expected to take about a week, election officials said.
Home to Mount Ever est, Nepal is one of the world’ s poor est countries.
Some experts have described Nepal elections as a contest between India and China as many the suggest left alliance is backed by Beijing.
Several NC leaders including its second senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel after party president and prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba lost the elections.
Some top Madhes based leaders have also secured their positions in federal parliament but could not show satisfactory results. The RJP, an alliance of seven Madhes based parties has just won three seats.