Sunsari crisis shows why consultation matters

Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Home Minister Sudan Gurung have adopted a more consultative approach to manage the communal tensions in the Tarai-Madhesh region, moving away from a reliance solely on security forces. This strategic shift followed days of violence that resulted in three deaths and several injuries.

Home Minister Gurung visited the affected districts, engaging directly with victims' families and negotiating with various communal groups. His commitment to restoring law and order before returning to Kathmandu has been lauded. Prime Minister Shah also stepped out of his executive role to consult with President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice-President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, and Madhesh-based political parties. These engagements have been credited with de-escalating the crisis, with life gradually returning to normalcy and no new reports of violence in the past three days.

The article suggests that an earlier embrace of consultation could have contained the crisis more effectively and with minimal loss. Nepal's history of resolving crises through political party unity is highlighted as a positive political culture. An all-party meeting called by the ruling party also emphasized peace and restraint, reinforcing the idea that dialogue and collective ownership are crucial for addressing Nepal's political challenges.

The experience serves as a reminder to the government, particularly the Rastriya Swatantra Party, that while electoral success is important, it does not represent the entirety of the electorate. The fact that more than half the votes went to other parties underscores the need to involve representatives of the entire electorate in crucial decisions and crisis responses. The Sunsari violence has thus proven to be a critical test case, reinforcing the importance of a consultative approach for the current government.