NC, UML agree to lead govt by turns; Oli to become PM first

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML reached an agreement late Monday night to form a new coalition government.

The formation of a new alliance will push Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the CPN (Maoist Center), who have alternated alliances with both NC and UML, since taking office on December 26, 2022, into the opposition bench.

According to the power-sharing deal, UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli will serve as Prime Minister for the first one and a half years, followed by NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba for the remaining one and a half years.

Given that NC and UML together do not hold the two-thirds majority needed for constitutional amendments, they plan to bring smaller parties into the coalition to achieve this goal.

“It seemed necessary for UML and Congress to unite for national consensus,” a UML leader close to Oli stated.

Key Points of the Agreement: 

• UML will get the Prime Minister, the Finance Ministry, and 10 other ministries. NC will lead 11 ministries, including the Home Ministry.
• UML will form governments in Koshi, Lumbini, and Karnali provinces, while NC will lead Bagmati, Gandaki, and Sudurpashchim provinces.
• The coalition aims to include smaller parties to secure a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives.
• The two parties have decided to support a Madhes-based party to form the government in Madhesh Province.
• The parties have agreed to amend the constitution to revise the electoral system. They have reached an understanding to form a committee led by former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha to recommend amendments.