Former PM and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed his concern over the delays by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, hinting that Deuba’s “inefficiencies” could affect the coalition.

Addressing the party’s extended secretariat meeting, Dahal made fun of Deuba’s failure to expand the Cabinet even after more than a month of assuming office.

“If the Cabinet is not expanded soon, questions would be raised whether to remain in the government or not,” a senior Maoist Centre leader quoted Dahal as telling the meeting.

Dahal was worried that the main mission of the coalition was to hold the polls within the constitutional deadline of January 21. If the polls are not held within the stipulated date, there would be no significance for the Maoist Centre to remain in the government.

During the meeting attended by districts chiefs of the party, Dahal accused the major parties including the Nepali Congress of hesitating to hold the polls on time and of conspiring to lengthen the tenure of Parliament. 

The Maoist Centre would strongly oppose such moves as they could tarnish the image of the party. He cited the rumours of the Congress trying to retain the 240 electoral constituencies as the major parties’ love for status quo.

Dahal was also irritated by Deuba’s proposal to induct only seven ministries from the party. In the previous government led by Dahal, the Maoist Centre had nine ministries. He argued that the delay in polls would hamper implementation of the constitution.

Asked if Dahal’s latest remarks could affect the Congress-Maoist coalition, Maoist Centre leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said it would have no adverse impact.