KATHMANDU: Even though politically divided, the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) is a single party legally. Both factions of the NCP are engaged in forming a new government following the reinstatement of the House of Representatives (HoR).
Since the NCP is still a single party legally, both the factions are facing legal hurdles to expedite the issue of power sharing.
The Prachanda-Nepal faction is openly approaching other parties including Nepali Congress to form the next government.
As things stand, the only outlet to the current imbroglio could be either through a unity among the NCP factions or an ordinance to split the party, say political analysts.
Currently, the Oli faction has a 40 percent hold in the parliamentary party but lacks 40 percent in the central committee; hence, the ordinance is required to legally split the party.
Main opposition Nepali Congress has already made it clear that it would not participate in the power sharing unless the NCP is split legally. Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) has also similar views.
According to sources, the main reason behind the reluctance of these two parties – NC and JSP – to join the power sharing hinges on the uncertainty over the candidate of the new prime minister.
A leader of the Oli faction said it is uncertain to form an alliance with the Nepali Congress even after splitting the party legally, hence, there is still a possibility to form the government through unity between the two NCP factions.
Meanwhile, there is also a possibility that the next government could be formed under the premiership of JSP leader Dr Baburam Battarai, said a source. But this option has a slim chance. This condition will arise only when the HoR is forced to dissolve due to failure to form the government.
The Supreme Court has ordered to call house session by March 8. The issue of power sharing needs to be sorted out prior to this. Sources have claimed that Oli is not in mood to step down until he is certain that he will be removed through the no confidence motion.
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