Himal Press 
POKHARA: The formation of a new alliance in the center has sent ripples into provincial governments as well. Gandaki Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey on Tuesday sacked two ministers representing CPN (Maoist Center) in his cabinet following the formation of a new alliance between CPN-UML and the Maoist Center.
Pandey gave marching orders to Minister for Physical Infrastructure & Transport, Resham Jugjali, and Minister for Social Development and Health, Sushila Sinkhada.
Maoist Center on Wednesday decided to withdraw its support extended to Pandey’s government. The party has already notified the Province Assembly Secretariat about its decision. This means Chief Minister Pandey will now undergo a floor test within month.
Interestingly, Pandey had forsaken his Gorkha-2 seat of the House of Representatives for Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and instead opted to contest in the provincial election. He emerged as the natural choice for Chief Minister after the Maoist Center broke its alliance with UML, formed after the 2022 election, and formed a new alliance with the Nepali Congress in April last year. However, Pandey’s government now finds itself plunged into uncertainty after Maoist Center Chairman Dahal switched allegiances once again.
No single party holds a majority in the Gandaki Province Assembly. The NC is the largest party in the 60-member provincial assembly with 27 members, while UML has 22 and the Maoist Center has eight members, including the Speaker. Similarly, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has two members, and the CPN (Unified Socialist) has one.
Even if the NC secures the support of the RPP, it still falls short of a majority. The UML-Maoist Center alliance also lacks the necessary members to form a government, unless it manages to secure the backing of the RPP. An NC-UML alliance would command a two-thirds majority in the province assembly. But such a coalition appears imporable under the present circumstances. The possibility of mid-term polls also persists.
Pancharam Gurung, the parliamentary party leader of the RPP in the provincial assembly, said RPP is in no mood to join the government. He also expressed dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Dahal’s failure to address his party’s demands. “We will engage in discussions if we get instructions from the center. But our demands must be addressed first,” he added.
Khagaraj Adhikari, UML’s parliamentary leader, said that no discussions have taken place at the local level following the formation of the new alliance in the center.
On the other hand, Maoist Center’s parliamentary leader, Hari Bahadur Chuman, remains optimistic about forming a new government with RPP’s support.
The Maoist Center has backed four of five governments formed in the province so far. Interestingly, Chuman has vied for the post of chief minister on each occasion. He remains a contender for the position this time as well.
“It seems it’s finally our turn. I hope we’re not treated unfairly,” Chuman remarked.
