Despite non-cooperation and hostile behavior from the opposition parties, the UCPN-Maoist and SLMM coalition government led by Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has made a number of progresses in the last one year. This government was able to maintain the law and order as well as the pace of development. This is the first ever government in Nepal which has been trying to protect the interests of Madheshis by mainstreaming them in Nepal. For the cause of Madheshi people, from induction to Nepali Army to other civil services, the government has already proposed an inclusion ordinance. After the promulgation of the ordinance, Madheshi’s rights will be further strengthened.

This government has also been making efforts to find the political solution. Although the Constituent Assembly died due to the failure of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML to accept the demand for a single identity based state, if the two parties had not held anti-federalist views, the country would have a new constitution by now. The government still wants a new constitution through the Constituent Assembly. Hence, the call for them to participate in fresh elections. Prime minister in his recent statement has appealed to all political parties to come to consensus at the earliest to seek a solution to the present political deadlock. I don’t think present government will collapse at any time and the government will resign anytime soon. This is the legitimate elected government and it will not leave the office till a new government is formed legitimately.

Even the frequent appeals by prime minister for dialogue to find a way out, CPN-UML and Nepali Congress are harping on just an agenda to go to power. In the last one year, this government has shown such a flexibility with the opposition that no government has done so far. Thanks to the bold decision taken by the government, we are able to make a significant progress in the peace process. Now the issue of integration of Maoist combatant is in the final stage and we will close this chapter soon. Similarly, the government has also made significant progress to bring armed outfit of Madhesh in national mainstream. This is the reason the law and order situation in Madhesh has improved a lot. This success became possible only due to the flexibility of the UCPN (Maoist) and the sacrifice of the People´s Liberation Army.  The process of change has been blocked by Nepali Congress and CPN-UML and the traditional state mechanisms. I think this government is trying to settle all the problems in the country to fulfill the people´s expectations.

Along with bringing the Maoists into the mainstream, the handover of the keys of the arms containers to the Special Committee, bringing the Maoist army and the cantonments under the control of the government, progress has been made in resolving many outstanding issues of constitution making, immediate relief to poor, conflict-affected people, widening of capital roads. Road expansion will complete in Dashain.

Establishing Hello Sarkar to receive people’s complaints round the clock, efforts to check irregularities in foreign employment, establishment of Nepal Investment Board, Economic Advisory Council, Awarding construction contract for the West Seti Hydropower to a Chinese company are some of the major achievements.

Similarly,   the government has also started several new projects including the construction of the Hetauda-Kathmandu fast-track road and achieved highest economic growth in past three years. Limiting power cuts to 12 hours and signing BIPPA with India are other major achievements. The work is in progress toward democratizing the Nepal Army. This is for the first time this government is able to make such a progress in the country.