Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: CPN-UML won’t be joining the government for the time being.
Since Nepali Congress, which is set to be the largest party in the parliament, has already begun discussions to achieve the required majority for government formation, UML has decided to stay out of the government formation process.
The party, however, hasn’t taken any formal decision to this extent. But the party’s office-bearers have discussed the matter, according to a CPN-UML leader. “Discussions are ongoing on playing the role of a constructive opposition instead. It will take some more time to take a formal decision though,” he added.
UML, however, is set to become the most popular party in the country in proportionate representation (PR) vote count. The party has received 2.81 million votes so far – about 126,437 votes more than what Nepali Congress has managed to receive. This means UML will get at least 30 lawmakers from PR system. It won 44 seats under the first past the post voting.
Five parties of the ruling coalition have shared 90 seats between them. While Nepali Congress has won 57 seats, CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN (Unified Socialist) have 18 and 10 seats, respectively. Likewise, Loktantraik Samajbadi Party (LSP) and Rastriya Jana Morcha (RJM) have won four and one seat, respectively.
The coalition will have 136 seats if NC and Maoist get 32 and 14 seats, respectively, under PR system. It will get a comfortable majority if CK Raut-led Janamat Party comes on board.
Janamat Party has won one FPTP seat but is on course to get four PR seats.
UML decided to stay away from government formation talks after realizing that the ruling coalition would easily get the required majority to form the government.
UML will make efforts for government formation only if consensus eludes the ruling coalition partners on government formation, according to deputy chief of the party’s publicity department, Bishnu Rijal.
Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has already held power-sharing talks with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Unified Socialist Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, LSP Chairman Mahantha Thakur and RJM Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC.
A leader of the ruling coalition said efforts to forge consensus on a package deal to share important posts like government leadership, sharing of ministerial portfolios, province government leadership, president, vice president and speaker, among others.
Deputy Chief of UML’s Publicity Department Bishnu Rijal said UML won’t make a rush to join the government. “We can join the government only if its a coalition between NC and UML. If that happens, only small parties will be in the opposition. Therefore, the UML will play the role of a responsible opposition,” he added.
UML will make efforts for government formation only if consensus eludes the ruling coalition partners on government formation.
After realizing that UML won’t join the government, Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) a few days ago said it has ended its alliance with UML.
UML had formed an alliance with JSP and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) on some seats in the November 20 election. RPP too has decided that it won’t join the government.
UML, however, is taking a different approach in the formation of government in provinces. It has become the largest party in Province 1 and Madhes Province, winning 25 and 15 FPTP seats, respectively. While the party is in the third position in Bagmati Province with just 13 seats, it is in the second position in Gandaki Province. NC and UML have won 18 seats each in Lumbini and 9 seats each in Karnali. In Sudurpashchim, however, the party has managed to win only three seats.
