Nepali Congress Central Party Office
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) leaders are scrambling to join the coalition government that NC and CPN-UML are preparing to form.
An office-bearer of NC said many leaders, including former ministers and incumbent office-bearers, have shown interest in joining the new coalition government.
As per the understanding reached between NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli, Oli will lead the government for the next two and a half years, while Deuba will be at the helm until the 2027 election.
A leader close to Oli said the UML chairperson is not in favor of appointing a deputy prime minister in his government. This has thrown cold water on the hopes of many NC leaders who are looking to lead the party in the government as a deputy prime minister. Former home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula is among the leaders interested in joining the government if he is offered the position of deputy prime minister. Some leaders say the party has begun discussions to send one of General Secretary Dr. Gagan Kumar Thapa, Dr. Shekhar Koirala, and Prakash Man Singh into the government as deputy prime minister.
“There are many aspirants. Many leaders, including a general secretary, have shown interest in leading the party in the coalition government as a deputy prime minister,” the office-bearer said. He added that Ramesh Lekhak, who was a member of the team formed by Deuba for negotiation with UML, is certain to join Oli’s cabinet. According to him, Deuba’s spouse Arzu has also shown interest in becoming a minister. “The party will finalize the names after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal undergoes a floor test on Friday,” he added.
NC will get 11 ministries in the coalition government, while UML will get 10. The two parties have set aside the remaining ministries for fringe parties who are expected to join the coalition government.
“Six of the ministers could be from Deuba’s faction, three from Dr Shekhar Koirala’s faction, one from Gagan Thapa’s faction, and one from other leaders,” the office-bearer said.
Although NC and UML have not shared ministerial portfolios yet, the office-bearers said NC will stake its claims for energy, home, and foreign affairs, among other ministries.
NC Spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said the two largest parties in Parliament have joined hands to resolve pressing issues that the country is facing at present. “Discussions have been held on sharing of ministerial portfolios. But the final decision will be made after voting is held on the Prime Minister’s motion of vote of confidence,” Dr Mahat added.
