Page 219 - English Reader - 7

provincial and central elections. The second phase, which includes the
capital Kathmandu, will take place on 7 December.

Devolution is expected to make it harder for minor parties to win seats
in parliament, while a number of strategic alliances between the major

parties have consolidated voting blocks, increasing the likelihood that
one can win an absolute majority.

The most significant is the left alliance of nominally communist
contenders, led by the Unified Marxist Leninist party (UML) and the

former rebel Maoists.

“If there is constant change it will threaten our democracy and

constitution,” said Rajan Bhattarai, a UML heavyweight and parliamentary
candidate in Kathmandu. “[This alliance] will allow us to provide stable

government, consolidate democracy and make progress on social issues.”

Nepal remains one of the poorest countries in Asia and the elections

are also viewed as a chance finally to address the country’s urgent

development needs.

“We need a stable government for development … If a party wins with

an absolute majority, they will be able to govern for at least five years,
without small parties holding them hostage. It will definitely have a good
impact on economic development,” said Yuba Raj Khatiwada, a former

head of the Nepal central bank.

But Rabindra Mishra, a former BBC journalist and parliamentary
candidate for Bibeksheel Sajha, a self-proclaimed “alternative force” in

politics, is less convinced. “Stability for what? When forces with entirely
vested interests or a corrupt past come together for the long-term it will

do more harm than good … We will inject integrity into politics. It’s the

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