National
Morcha ‘ready to support’ NC to topple govt
The Nepali Congress’s bid to form a new political alignment against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli received a major boost on Wednesday after the Tarai-centric parties agreed, in principle, to extend “necessary support to topple the government”.The Nepali Congress’s bid to form a new political alignment against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli received a major boost on Wednesday after the Tarai-centric parties agreed, in principle, to extend “necessary support to topple the government”.
During a meeting with the Nepali Congress (NC) on Wednesday, leaders of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha said that they were ready to help the NC form a new alliance with the UCPN (Maoist) after the NC leaders gave their word to address their demands.
The NC with 207 seats in Parliament is the single largest party, while the UCPN (Maoist), which has 83 seats, is the third largest party.
Madhesi leaders, however, said that they would not join the government “under current circumstances”.
“For now, there has been an understanding to help the Congress party to topple the government,” said Sadbhawana Party Co-Chair Laxman Lal Karna. “In return, we are expecting NC’s support when it comes to addressing our demands, including revision of the federal boundaries. The NC is positive about finding an amicable solution to the Madhes crisis.” Karna added that no discussions were held on other issues, including the prime ministerial candidate.
Madhesi leaders said that they agreed to help the “new alliance” after NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba gave his word to take a lead to address the boundary issue, which is Morcha’s key demand.
During a meeting held ahead of his India visit last month, Deuba had told Madhesi leaders that the NC was ready to carve out another province in the Tarai plains.
“We have asked Deuba and [Pushpa Kamal] Dahal for written assurance. The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha allies would also join the government if that happens,” said a Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party leader. Madhesi leaders said that they decided to support the NC after realising that it “is impossible to get our demands addressed as long as Oli remains in power”.
NC Chief Whip Chinkaji Shrestha said that the NC would make concrete efforts to find a lasting solution to the Madhes crisis.
“The Congress would take a lead to resolve the Madhes crisis, while Madhesi parties would support us in the formation of the new government,” said Shrestha. “Top leaders from both parties would again sit together to decide areas of cooperation.”
The UCPN (Maoist) on Wednesday decided to form a new consensus government under its leadership.
The Maoist move has caught the ruling UML unawares. “We are surprised to see such an abrupt decision from the key coalition partner,” said Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s Press Adviser Pramod Dahal. “It was the Maoist party which had first proposed a government under KP Sharma Oli earlier.”
The meeting of the ruling parties has decided to urge the UCPN (Maoist) to revisit its decision. Another meeting has been scheduled for Thursday.
Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba is reported to be the first lawmaker to sign the campaign.
The Congress party had earlier decided to start a signature campaign to bring only an adjournment motion in Parliament. But the purpose behind the campaign is still unclear as signatures are being collected on blank paper. “With the changing political scenario, we have started collecting signatures,” said NC leader Bal Krishna Khand.
The KP Sharma Oli government has come under pressure after the UCPN (Maoist) appealed for a new government under its own leadership.