Madhesh: Is the ruling coalition already showing cracks?

JANAKPURDHAM: Madhesh Province got its fourth government since the 2022 elections last week with the appointment of Nepali Congress (NC) leader Krishna Prasad Yadav as the Chief Minister. But fissures within the ruling coalition appear to have surfaced almost immediately

Yadav, who has the backing of six political parties, on Sunday inducted Mahesh Yadav of Janamat Party, Kanish Patel from the CPN (Unified Socialist), and Jangilal Yadav from the NC into his cabinet. While Mahesh Yadav has been appointed as the Minister for Finance, the other two have not been assigned portfolios.

Questions about internal divisions within the coalition are growing as only Janamat’s minister has been assigned a portfolio. Likewise, three coalition partners—Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP) Nepal, and the Maoist Centre—have still to join the government.

As per the understanding reached among the coalition partners, NC will get two ministries along with the Chief Minister’s post, while JSP Nepal will receive two ministries, including the Speaker. Similarly, the Nepali Communist Party, including the Maoist Center and the Unified Socialist, will get three; and both the Janamat and LSP Nepal will be allocated two ministries each. Nagarik Unmukti Party, which was with the alliance for a long time, chose not to extend its support to the government.

Since the Maoist Center, LSP Nepal, and JSP Nepal have not joined the cabinet, many say signs of friction have already emerged in the coalition. However, leaders of these parties said all is well with the coalition.

JSP Nepal’s Chief Whip Ram Ashish Yadav said the party has not joined the government yet because no agreement has been reached on the distribution of ministries. “There is no urgency to join the government. Our party has not held any internal discussions yet,” he said. “After the vote of confidence, the coalition parties will meet again, finalise the number of ministries and portfolios. Only then will JSP Nepal join the government.”

LSP Nepal’s parliamentary party leader Jayanul Rain said his party has not joined the government as portfolios are still to be finalized. “Why join the government as ministers without portfolio? There is no justification for entering the cabinet before decisions are made,” he said.

Rain added that the Chief Minister should finalize the allocation of portfolios before seeking a vote of confidence.

Maoist Center leader Yuvaraj Bhattarai also said his party had not joined the government because ministries had not been finalized. “What is the point of becoming a minister without portfolio? We will join only after the issue of ministries is resolved,” he said.

According to a coalition leader, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development, which handles the largest budget in the provincial cabinet, has become a bone of contention among coalition partners, with NC, JSP, and Maoist Center all claiming it.

The parties are also divided over the number of ministries. NC is demanding one more ministry, while Nagarik Unmukti is also keen on joining the government.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yadav is facing the floor test on Wednesday.