Ruling coalition partners forge consensus on province governments

KATHMANDU: The ruling coalition partners have reached an understanding regarding the leadership of all seven province governments.

According to the understanding reached among the parties, CPN-UML will form governments in three provinces – Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali; Maoist Center in two provinces – Bagmati and Lumbini, Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) in one – Madhesh, and CPN (Unified Socialist) in one – Sudurpashchim. Since JSP is already leading the Madhesh government, there will be no change in government in the province. Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav has already inducted UML ministers into his cabinet.

Maoist Center and Unified Socialist have agreed to lead the Bagmati and Sudurpashchim province governments by turns, according to Unified Socialist leader Rajendra Pandey.

Nepali Congress is leading three provinces at present – Koshi, Gandaki, and Sudurpashchim. Governments in Gandaki and Sudurpashchim have fallen into the minority after the Maoist Center withdrew its support. This means chief ministers there need to undergo a floor test within a month. There, however, is uncertainty in Koshi since Kedar Karki of the Nepali Congress formed his cabinet using the last option prescribed in the constitution. Karki has been arguing that the provincial assembly will head to mid-term polls if he is to step down.

It will also be difficult for the UML to form governments in Gandaki and Karnali provinces as well. Since the new ruling coalition does not enjoy a majority to form government in Gandaki, UML will need to win the support of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). Likewise, Karnali Chief Minister Rajkumar Sharma, who is from the Maoist Center, has indicated that he won’t step down despite receiving instructions from Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Sharma, who is a close aide of Maoist Center’s Deputy General Secretary Janardan Sharma, is against handing over power to the UML.

Intra-party disputes in Nagarik Unmukti party will also affect formation of new government in Sudurpashchim.