MCC dispute surfaces again

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has further expressed his desire to pass the controversial American project Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) from the parliament. Although MCC has also a role in the widening rift in the CPNUML and for the dispute between Prime Minister Oli and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the former looks adamant to endorse the Rs. 55 billion project, probably to garner the support of the West to lengthen his term in the office.

During an all partymeeting, which was boycotted by the Maoist

Centre last week, Prime Minister Oli sought the support of the Nepali Congress and other parties to endorse the project. Although Nepali Congress has always been in favour of the project, the Maoist Centre and a section of the CPN-UML are against the project because of its some controversial provisions.

Even NC leader Ram Chandra Paudel suggested endorsing the MCC by making amendments to it. However, in the meeting, Prime Minister Oli accused Speaker Agni Prasad Sapakota of not tabling the MCC bill. Now when the government had abruptly prorogued the winter session fearing a no-confidence motion from the opposition parties, it is unlikely that the MCC will be endorsed for the other two months.

It is widely believed that the debate for and against the MCC is because of the tussle between the USA and China. China wants to empower its BRI project in Nepal and MCC is

believed to be a counterpart of BRI. Again, India has its upper hands in the MCC because of its provisions, PM Oli is now in the situation to forward it to receive a continued backing of India to stay in power because it has now been apparent that Oli has been managing to remain in power because of strong backing from India although he has already been isolated not only from other parties but also within his party—UML, all senior and popular UML leaders are against Oli and his government. Now the situation is such that Oli will create such a situation in which the UML could not remain a united party.