Listen Before the Anger Boils Over

With 182 members in the House of Representatives, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)-led government wields considerable authority. Yet, despite being only a few months into office, warning signs of public dissatisfaction are emerging both within and outside the ruling party. Recently, RSP lawmaker Amaresh Kumar Singh warned that growing dissatisfaction with the administration could spark a popular movement against it after Chhath. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, co-ordinator of the Nepali Communist Party, has warned that Madheshis may take to the streets. CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has accused the government of misusing state authority and failing to foster collaboration among political parties. Janamat Party Chairman CK Raut has gone further, calling the administration a “complete failure.” Of course, such statements may partly reflect opposition politics. Political parties often criticise governments based on their own calculations. However, that does not make every complaint untrue, nor does it justify dismissing growing public dissatisfaction as a political conspiracy. The recent episode involving Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel in Madhesh is a case in point. Pokharel said he was not forced to leave the event and that the actions of two individuals disrupted the participation of children, teachers, and parents. He also said a brief video clip had been taken out of context. His explanation deserves consideration.