Expressing its displeasure over performance of the government, the UCPN (Maoist) on Thursday decided to hold a ‘serious talk’ with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on ways to make the government effective. The party also instructed its government ministers to improve on their performances. The statement from a main coalition partner comes soon after the government completed its ‘honeymoon’ period.

After an extensive review of the government’s functioning over 100 days last week, the three-day standing committee meeting concluded that the government and its ministers have failed to meet the people’s expectations.

According to Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha, party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal will talk with Oli regarding the weaknesses of the government and its failure to meet people’s expectations.

“The Standing Committee meeting has concluded that the government need to correct some of its decisions for making itself more effective and result-oriented,” Shrestha said, after the meeting. Shrestha added that he would be coordinating with the UCPN (Maoist) ministers and the party over their performances in the coming days.

During the meeting, UCPN (Maoist) leaders criticised

the ministers as well as PM Oli for their lack of sincerity towards addressing the problems faced by people. Some leaders said “there is no meaning of staying in the government if it fails to provide relief to people”.

Shrestha, who was entrusted to oversee the conduct of ministers, had stepped down from the responsibility stating that he failed to do so due to non-cooperation from the Maoist ministers. He later changed his mind after Dahal convinced him that the party ministers would cooperate him in the coming days.

“Following requests of the party leaders, I have withdrawn the resignation,” said Shrestha, who had a heated exchange of words with the ministers during the meeting. Home Minister Shakti Basnet, Energy Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and Supply Minister Ganesh Man Pun had faced Shrestha’s wrath.

The meeting decided that the ministers should learn a lesson from their mistakes and work more efficiently in the coming days.

Party Chairman Dahal told the ministers to introduce new programmes to give relief to the people suffering from the earthquakes and prolonged blockade.

Dahal, who had floated the idea of a national unity government incorporating the Nepali Congress and Madhes-based parties, told the ministers that the party would not withdraw its support to the government.

Shrestha, however, said the matter was not discussed in the meeting as the NC was busy with its convention.

Brewing discontent

• Maoist ministers asked to improve on their performances following Standing Committee conclusion that the government has failed to meet public expectations
• UCPN (Maoist) leaders criticise PM Oli for lack of sincerity towards addressing the problems faced by people
• ‘There’s no meaning of staying in the government if it fails to provide relief to the people,’ some leaders warned.
• Chairman Dahal asks ministers to introduce new programmes to provide relief to the people suffering from the earthquakes and the prolonged border blockade