KATHMANDU -- Even before the final count is in, supporters of Nepal's communist coalition sniffed victory in a landmark election held over two stages, on Nov. 26 and Dec. 7, and have begun celebrating. The sound of drums echoed in a historic corner of Kathmandu, the capital of the mountainous nation, and packs of communist loyalists, astride motorcycles, and waving party flags, roared down narrow lanes.
Former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (UML), is tipped to become premier again, since the UML is the senior partner in the left alliance, which also includes the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Center. This left-turn by the country of 29 million people has raised the question of whether the Nepalese are joining other South Asians in giving a cold shoulder to India, the sub-region's giant, and embracing China instead.
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