Dahal slams government as Oli completes one year in office

KATHMANDU: As the coalition government of Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML completes its first year in office, former Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal launched a scathing attack on Monday, accusing the government of serving the interests of brokers and middlemen while failing to deliver on governance, economic management, and democratic principles.

Speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday, Dahal said the coalition itself was formed to protect vested interests. “Reversal of reforms, backdoor deals and illicit overnight financial maneuverings worth billions confirm this,” Dahal said.

He accused the government of systematically weakening regulatory institutions that had previously upheld governance. “The recent appointments of heads in these institutions, the open commission deals, and decisions taken under the influence of brokers reflect the government’s real intent and character,” he added.

Calling the past year a ‘lost opportunity for the economy’, Dahal said the government had achieved nothing new apart from the momentum carried forward from the previous administration. “The government claims that remittance inflows are rising. It is due to growing youth migration driven by a lack of domestic employment opportunities, not government policies,” he said. “Inflation is low not because of sound economic management, but due to a fall in demand caused by economic stagnation.”

Dahal also questioned the government’s claim of economic recovery, questioning, “Which of your policies led to increased remittances or controlled inflation?”

The former Prime Minister also said credit flow had stalled despite falling interest rates and sufficient liquidity in the banking system. “As a result, Rs 600–700 billion is lying idle in banks. In a country with limited resources like ours, such inaction is proof of government incompetence,” he said.

Dahal also said that the current policies of the government would further suppress savings, increase capital flight and encourage investment in low-return sectors, deepening the economy’s vulnerability. “It seems the government is focused more on reviving the real estate and stock markets than on generating employment and laying foundations for sustainable development,” he added.

Dahal also lambasted the government for dismal progress on national pride projects. “Of the five new flagship projects announced by this government, none has even begun. Most existing projects have not achieved 50% progress; some have not even reached 10%. Costs are rising, but there is no work progress,” Dahal said. “What did the government do all year to change this?”

He also criticized the government for dismantling the Land Commission formed to grant land ownership to landless squatters. “My government had prepared to distribute land ownership certificates to 500,000 landless families this fiscal year. But this coalition, riding high on its two-thirds majority, only managed to reshuffle the commission’s leadership and do nothing more,” he said.

Dahal accused government ministers of engaging in financial dealings with brokers even in selecting members for commissions meant to support landless populations. “While brokers thrive, farmers are suffering due to fertilizer shortages,” he said, adding that farmers are not getting fertilizers even as the monsoon planting season nears its end. “My government had secured Rs 27.97 billion to supply 550,000 metric tons of fertilizers in the current fiscal year. But to date, the government has not imported even 200,000 metric tons.”

Dahal also said the government’s promise of constitutional amendment was nothing more than propaganda. “In the beginning, the coalition hyped the amendment as their moral foundation. But now even the Prime Minister says it won’t happen before 2030. That proves it was never their real intent,” he said. Dahal accused the government of using the idea of amendment merely to institutionalize the dominance of two parties rather than to address structural issues like federalism, inclusiveness or electoral reform.

He offered to help secure the necessary two-thirds majority if the government truly commits to a progressive amendment. “If you have the courage to pursue meaningful constitutional reform—for identity, justice, and inclusion, the main opposition will help secure the numbers,” he said.