The Nepal Weekly 
March 29, 2022
By TNW correspondent
All political parties, big or small, old or new, have, in 45 days before the local polls, felt the pressure of local politics in determining the poll-alliance. Democrats feel happy over it for it is an indicator of growing political consciousness at the grass-root level. Five years ago, the situation was different.
Political leaders, habituated to playing central cards or top-leadership- highhandedness, have found the situation somewhat uncomfortable. Bowing to the pressure from local leaders and cadres they have this time been bound to accept the local political dynamics as guiding principles. That is why the poll-alliance has not yet taken shape at the party level, say analysts.
The CPN UML, according to a senior leader, has also begun feeling the need for poll-alliance with some or other likeminded party, for the local polls irrespective of its earlier announcement that it would go to poll alone and emerge victorious as a single largest party. The local scenario appears more challenging to the party despite its being dominant in national politics for the past five years.
Nepali Congress understands that it should keep the ruling alliance intact for all forthcoming elections to emerge victorious as a single largest party. According to a youth leader of the party, the NC might not be able to do well on its own and there are chances of it doing good if allied to current ruling alliance.
Because of influential local political dynamics, the other parties which had hitherto enjoyed political attention in media and in public without doing much in politics are also looking for right alliance. “But it has been very difficult for them to form such an alliance for the polls,” noted a media analyst.
The issues of ideological politics or the historical background of political parties have given way to transactional politics this time, explained one senior journalist. In some cases the personality factor of a candidate in a local constituency appears to be playing influential role, said the analyst.
If the second cycle of federalism could be completed well in next five years under the leadership of those who get elected in May 13 polls in a stable manner, the ground of democracy, parliamentary polity and federalism will be institutionalized in the country, observed the analyst.
