Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML in Bagmati Province has decided not to immediately withdraw from the provincial government or revoke its support, opting instead to await directives from the party’s central leadership.
The decision comes after the coalition partner Nepali Congress (NC) pursued a strategy to end its alliance with the UML in all seven provinces and form new provincial governments in partnership with the Nepali Communist Party (NCP).
Although the UML has reportedly proposed that the NC form a three-party coalition by involving the NCP, NC President Gagan Kumar Thapa is said to be against the idea. Sources say Thapa has argued that his party will not support the formation of provincial assemblies without an opposition.
As speculation over the NC-UML alliance intensified, NC ministers in the Karnali provincial government have already resigned. Likewise, in Sudurpashchim Province, where the NC leads the government, UML ministers have been dismissed, and the process of forming a new government has already begun.
In the remaining provinces, however, there has been no significant upheaval within the NC-UML alliance. The UML-led government remains intact in Koshi Province, while there has been no discussion of changing the coalition in Gandaki Province, where the NC heads the government. The NC-UML coalition also continues to rule Lumbini Province.
Unlike the other provinces, Madhesh Province is currently governed by a three-party coalition of the NC, UML and NCP. Leaders say the existing alliance is expected to continue there.
Madhesh Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav said the coalition in his province was formed under unique political circumstances and is unlikely to change. “The government here was formed under special circumstances,” Yadav said. “While the NC and UML are in the ruling coalition in other provinces, the NCP is also part of the government in Madhesh. The central leadership is aware of this situation, so the current coalition will continue.”
In Bagmati Province, some NC leaders are reportedly preparing to change the coalition. The UML, however, has decided against taking any action immediately.
A meeting of the UML’s Bagmati Provincial Parliamentary Party on Monday decided not to withdraw from the provincial government or revoke its support for the time being.
Dr. Nidesh Chandra Devkota, the UML leader serving as Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development in the Bagmati government, said the party had decided to maintain the status quo until further notice.
UML leaders say the provincial parliamentary party would make a decision only after receiving instructions from the UML’s central leadership.
On July 17, Bagmati Province Chief Deepak Prasad Devkota, on the recommendation of Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya, reshuffled the provincial cabinet, assigning most UML ministers to ministerial positions without specific portfolios.
UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has proposed bringing the NCP into provincial governments, arguing that the three parties should work together in the streets, Parliament and provincial assemblies.
The NC, however, has rejected the proposal, arguing that a provincial assembly without an opposition would run contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday to mark BP Memorial Day, NC Vice President Bishwo Prakash Sharma said the constitution does not envision provincial legislatures without an opposition. He cautioned against power-sharing arrangements that undermine constitutional principles.
He said the NC believes provincial governments should not be formed in a way that eliminates the opposition and insisted the party is prepared to sit in opposition if necessary.
With the NC reluctant to join a three-party alliance, the UML is now considering forging a left alliance with the NCP instead. Some UML leaders have said cooperation with the NCP remains an option if the Congress refuses to participate.
Discussions over new provincial coalitions had stalled while NCP Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal was on a visit to Sri Lanka. Dahal returned home on Friday.
Party sources say Dahal has begun consultations on possible coalition arrangements and government formation.
NCP leaders say they would hold discussions with both the NC and the UML before deciding on future coalition equations and the formation of provincial governments.
