CPN-UML's parliamentary party meeting of Koshi Province Assembly. (File Photo)
ITAHARI: Uddhav Thapa of the Nepali Congress (NC) was appointed as the fifth Chief Minister of Koshi Province on June 6 with the support of the Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Center), CPN (Unified Socialist), and Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP). However, his appointment has become a subject of dispute.
Thapa, who was one seat short of a majority to form a government, included the signature of Speaker Baburam Gautam to support his claim as Chief Minister. Province Chief Parshuram Khapung duly appointed Thapa to the post.
UML, which was looking to form the government as the largest party in the provincial assembly as per Article 168 (3) of the constitution, objected to the support of Speaker Gautam in the government formation.
Chief Minister Thapa has argued that Gautam supported his claim to become Chief Minister as a province assembly member, not as the Speaker.
The UML has approached the apex court, claiming that the formation of the government is unconstitutional. The party is also making internal preparations to form a government under its leadership.
The Supreme Court, hearing the UML’s petition, has instructed the province government not to make decisions that could have a long-term impact until the final verdict is passed. It has also asked the provincial government to furnish a written response on why the government shouldn’t be scrapped as demanded by the petitioners. The next hearing of the case has been scheduled for Sunday.
The Secretariat Committee meeting of the UML has called for the dissolution of the coalition government. The meeting concluded that the ruling coalition violated the constitution and is interfering in constitutional bodies, shaking the very foundation of democracy.
Rebati Raman Bhandari, the Whip of the UML in the Koshi Province Assembly, claimed that the Koshi Province Government would be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. He further stated that the UML will form the next government in the province. “Yes, we are internally preparing to form the next government. This government is going to be dissolved,” he added. “Our focus is on managing the required number of assembly members to get a vote of confidence.”
When asked why the UML is determined to come to power, Bhandari clarified that they are only calling for the removal of the government formed through unconstitutional means. “We will lead the government thereafter,” he maintained.
Responding to a query about what would happen if the UML fails to secure a vote of confidence even after forming the government, Bhandari said, “It’s an ongoing process. If we fail in this attempt, the government will be formed through other means.”
Political analyst Prof Dr Rajendra Sharma expressed concerns about the UML’s rush to form a government. “The UML’s unnecessary haste raises fears of a mid-term election,” Sharma said. “A mid-term election in the province would leave people hopeless and raise questions about the continuity of the provincial setup.”
He called on the parties to make wise decisions.
Stating that the role of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) is crucial for political stability in the province, Sharma mentioned that parties should take the RPP into confidence, even though the party is against the federal setup.
Another analyst, Prof Dr Badri Bishal Pokharel, questioned the political integrity of Speaker Gautam. “The Speaker should be independent, but we didn’t see that. The Speaker should have resigned before taking any side,” he added.
Parties have maintained that they are not in favor of mid-term polls. UML’s Bhandari said that mid-term elections are not likely immediately, as a government can be formed under Article 168 (5) of the constitution as well. “We shouldn’t opt for mid-term elections, as it would raise questions about the relevance of federalism,” he added.
Similarly, Nepali Congress Whip in the province assembly, Bhupendra Rai, said they were awaiting the apex court’s verdict. “If this government fails, we can still form government under Article 168 (3) and (5). Therefore, we are not considering mid-term polls at this time,” he added.
