Isolated PM KP Oli could be toppled
An unwieldy coalition of lawmakers trying to implement Nepal's first democratic constitution is finding common cause with protesting minority groups, isolating Prime Minister K P Oli and increasing the risk his government could fall this spring.
Oli, of the leftist Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), promised to resolve simmering tensions in the southern plains and lift a blockade of the Indian border when he was voted in to power almost four months ago.
Yet sporadic violence, in which more than 50 people have died since August, continues in the Himalayan nation with police shooting dead three demonstrators last month.
Protest leaders say the heavy-handed police tactics show the government is not sincere about finding a solution, while in Kathmandu residents have to choose between queuing for hours for fuel and gas and paying exorbitant prices on the black market.
"There are reports that corruption is rising and the government is not able to meet expectations of the people," said Dinanath Sharma, a spokesman for the Maoist.
Oli, 63, heads a fractious cabinet with no less than six deputy premiers - one a royalist bent on reinstating the monarchy and another the leader of a party representing minority Madhesis who has yet to sign the constitution.
Vijay K Karna, a Madhesi protest leader, described Oli as "the main problem" in efforts to reach a constitutional compromise. Bishnu Rimal, Oli's political adviser, sees no immediate threat to the government that could last until elections due in 2018.
The party to watch is the opposition Nepali Congress, the largest in parliament, which will elect a president at its general convention in March. The party will then face a choice between joining a government of national unity or attempting to capture power by dislodging Oli, according to a local level Congress leader.
Senior Congress leaders contacted by Reuters played down speculation they would oust Oli, although a central committee member said Congress was best placed to mediate between ruling "ultra nationalists" and the protesters.
Maoist spokesman Sharma said the party was not considering leaving the coalition yet. "But we'll discuss with the prime minister about our concerns seriously," he said. "He must change his ways."
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