UML to form governments in three provinces, NCP in two

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML and the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) have announced the formation of a new political alliance to form provincial governments across the country.

The two parties reached a three-point agreement on Saturday to collaborate on government formation and broader cooperation at the provincial level.

UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli and NCP Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal signed the agreement on behalf of their respective parties on Saturday.

According to the agreement, UML will lead the governments in Koshi, Bagmati and Lumbini provinces, while NCP will take leadership in Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces.

For Madhesh and Gandaki provinces, the two parties have agreed to hold discussions with other political forces represented in the provincial assemblies to determine leadership and other issues related to government formation.

Previously, UML was leading governments in Koshi, Lumbini and Karnali with the support of the Nepali Congress (NC) under the NC-UML coalition. Likewise, NC was leading governments in Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Sudurpashchim. However, after the NC decided to withdraw from the alliance and initiated talks with the NCP to form a new partnership, UML moved swiftly to join hands with the NCP instead.

This means the NC, which had been leading four provincial governments, is certain to move into the opposition benches across all provinces.