Joint move for polls

By TNW correspondent

Nepali politicos are currently in the midst of working out strategy for poll partnership for securing their best interest. All 40 political parties which got registered in the Election Commission until recently are in one way or another in talks for mutual cooperation for the general election.

Although constituency-specific realities differ a lot, political parties, at top level, are in practice going for some or other type of poll partnership keeping in view the first past the post election (165 parliamentarians and 330 assembly members) and the proportional representation (110 parliamentarians and 220 assembly members).

The joint move, among other things, brought together Prachanda and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, the senior most leaders mostly renowned for their contribution to Maoist party. Both declared their parties – Maoist Centre under Prachanda and Nepal Samajwadi Party under Bhattarai – would participate in the elections under one symbol and manifesto – a new modality of working together without merging parties.

Senior leaders, soon after Prachanda- Bhattarai- announcement predicted: it would result in three phenomena: it will open ways for former Maoists to re-join their leaders under fresh reunification; it would pave way for initiating a socialist force as an alternative political entity in Nepal and it will encourage other leaders to join hands under simple political deal.

What impact it will have on ruling alliance and the overall left-politics is something being watched closely at the moment in political circle, said a media analyst.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party under the new leadership is also working out ways of forming some sort of understanding with some likeminded parties for emerging strong as a force by winning more seats in polls, said a senior leader.

“It could work out constituency-wise understanding for the purpose. The RPP leadership would like to see the party finish the election with substantial presence in the House and Assemblies.”