Miscellaneous
NC likely to support Dahal-led majority govt
The Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament, has once again taken the centre stage following a rapid political development in which the CPN (Maoist Centre) decided to quit the coalition government led by the CPN-UML.Sarin Ghimire
The Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament, has once again taken the centre stage following a rapid political development in which the CPN (Maoist Centre) decided to quit the coalition government led by the CPN-UML.
NC leaders say the party, which holds 207 seats in Parliament, is likely to assist Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal in his bid to form a majority government.
Any official decision on the party’s next move, however, will be taken by a central committee meeting called by Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba for Wednesday morning, NC leader Prakash Sharan Mahat told the Post.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Maoist Centre at a press conference announced its decision to withdraw support to the KP Sharma Oli-led government.
Congress party leaders said it was but natural for parties that have a similar take on the below par performance of the government to join hands in the changing political scenario.
“The key ally itself was not satisfied with the performance of the government. We have also been saying that this government has failed to address Madhesi grievances, expedite post-quake reconstruction and make serious efforts to implement the constitution,” said NC leader Ramesh Lekhak.
According to Lekhak, talks are underway with the Madhesi forces and other parties regarding formation of the next government.
Maoist Centre leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that an agreement “has already been reached with the NC” to form a government under Dahal.
“The two parties have made a verbal agreement to form the government under our party now and under the NC later,” Mahara said at the press meet.
“A written agreement to this effect will be made public on Wednesday,” he added.
According to sources, the deal was forged by second rung leaders of the NC and the Maoist Centre on Monday, following which Deuba had given a verbal assurance to Dahal that the NC would assist the Maoist Centre in forming a majority government if the party withdrew from the Oli government.
As per the verbal agreement, the Maoist Centre will lead the government for nine months and hold local elections, while the NC-led government will hold both provincial and federal polls.
The new constitution states that all three rounds of elections should be held within the next 18 months.
Sources say the second rung leaders of the Nepali Congress and the Maoist Centre had reached the deal on Monday