In what is being viewed as a positive step towards reviving relations with India, Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reshuffled his cabinet and replaced Ishwar Pokhrel, one of India’s key critics in Nepalese administration, from his position as the country’s Defence Minister. Oli will now hold the post himself, after the twelfth time cabinet reshuffle since the beginning of his tenure in February 2018.
Pokhrel has been the subject of several criticisms over the past few months. He has been at the centre of allegations of corruption regarding the procurement of medicines and other equipment from China, which severely impacted the country’s ability to contain the outbreak of the coronavirus. Consequently, he had to step down as the head of the COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre. He will now hold a position in the Prime Minister’s Office and the Council of Ministers.
Oli’s decision comes in preparation of Indian General MM Naravane’s visit to Nepal on 3 November, which was vehemently opposed by Pokhrel who wanted the two countries to first address their ongoing border dispute. During his visit, General Naravane will be conferred an honorary rank in Nepal’s army by President Vidya Devi Bhandari. This is a tradition practised by both countries on the condition of reciprocity. In January 2019, Nepal’s Army Chief, General Purna Chandra Thapa, was also granted an honorary rank in the Indian army. Naravane’s visit is being viewed as a significant victory for the resurrection of India’s decades-long friendship with Nepal. Reports suggest that the military leader will also engage in bilateral discussions during the visit.
The India-Nepal dispute has been going on for a few months now and was solidified when the Nepali Parliament put forth a redrawn map that depicted Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhur as Nepali territory. This was allegedly in response to India’s inauguration of a road that connects the Lipulekh Pass and Dharchula.
Over the past few months Oli has been subject to significant criticism from both the general public and opposing factions from within his own party, the Nepal Communist Party (NCP). NCP faced a major crisis when former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ called for Oli’s resignation in July. Apart from concerns about the Prime Minister’s handling of internal issues in the party, the Prachanda-led faction was also concerned about his anti-India stand. Further, students in Nepal also took to the streets to protest Nepal’s submission to China’s encroachment into Nepalese territory. The agitation had followed reports suggesting that China has constructed structures in the Humla district, which was vehemently opposed by the public. Consequently, Nepal now plans to construct six border posts along its China border.
Nepalese PM Oli Reshuffles Cabinet Amidst Rising Criticism From Within His Party
This move is in preparation for Indian General Naravane’s visit to Nepal, scheduled for November 3, wherein he will be granted an honorary position as a general in the Nepalese army.
October 16, 2020
SOURCE: THE KATHMANDU POST