KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC), which is leading the five-party coalition government, has decided to coordinate between the parties in the ruling coalition in the upcoming provincial and federal elections.

With the decision, it is estimated that the door of the left alliance is closed. However, the distribution of seats among the five parties is likely to be very complicated.

To ensure that there will be no more misunderstanding between the coalition parties, NC has kept the door open for discussion.

The coalition partners have also intensified the discussion for seat sharing and alliance in the forthcoming federal and provincial elections.

In this context, Khabarhub’s Dhiraj Basnet has approached NC Spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat to know more about NC decisions relating to coalition strategy, and seat distribution among other plans ahead.

Here are the excerpts of the interview:

What is your preparation regarding the distribution of seats in the upcoming federal and provincial elections? How is NC approaching other parties?

The issue of seat allotment is a complex one. There is nothing to argue about that. However, it is not impossible. We moved forward in coordination with the coalition in the local-level elections as well. We also have experience. We will also go to the general election. No matter how complex the obstacle is, we will reach a substantive conclusion.

Other leaders are mounting pressure on the leadership to keep 100 out of 165 constituencies and allocate the rest to the coalition partners. How possible is it?

Instead of sticking to seat numbers for the party, we will propose as per the NC’s spirit, the efficiency of organizations. Other parties or coalition parties also make proposals.

Based on that, we should all come to an effective and practical conclusion. It is necessary to ensure that the vote of one party is transferred to another party in the constituencies where the coalition finds a candidate. We have realized the complications of the coalition.

We have to resolve them collectively. Final decisions can be made only after listening to the opinions and stands of all coalition partners.

At the end of the meeting of the Central Working Committee, NC must have made a plan on the seats? 

All the central members are of the opinion that the coalition should be retained till the forthcoming election. We have decided unanimously.

The reality of the current national politics is the 40% proportional electoral vote system; it is not easy for any single party to get a majority in the election. Hence, this fact needs serious consideration.

In the 2017 elections, UML and Maoists shared 60-40. However, the parties in the coalition claim themselves bigger than the others. Do not you think it will add complications to seat sharing in the election?

No matter how complicated, we will reach a conclusion. There are some parameters like which party got the most votes in the local election or who has the highest vote percentage in specific constituencies etc.

These things will be analyzed. If the seats are distributed unnaturally, the transfer of votes will not be easy. Locals who vote for voters of one party will not easily vote for the candidate of another party.

The Maoist Center and the Unified Socialists accused NC of deceit in the local election. Do you see the possibility of breaking up the alliance if they get less space?

It will not be so. We also have a lot of experience at the local level. However, our conclusion is that the overall result of this alliance was satisfactory.

The problem should be resolved by evaluating that experience. We have never been dishonest. We abide by our commitments to the coalition.

We have also heard and read about the lack of sincerity of other parties as well. We have never done such things deliberately. We will present ourselves learning from the experiences of the past.

You indicated that NC is open to future leadership? What does it mean actually?

NC is in a leading position and I am confident that it will bag the majority in the forthcoming elections. Provided the coalition gets a majority NC will lead the coalition. We are sure our party will get the majority.

We will get a result similar to the local election. We will discuss it in the meetings ahead. No party will deny letting the majority lead the government.

Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has been roaming hither and thither saying that he wants to lead the government once. What do you say to it?

Naturally, we have no objection to having one’s wishes to lead the government. He might lead at some point. However, naturally, NC is the largest party. Hence, obviously, NC will be in the lead.

How has the NC viewed the visit of the Chinese Communist Party’s foreign department leadership’s Nepal visit and Prachanda’s Delhi visit?

The process of all the leaders going to and from the country and abroad is going on. All of us should expect positive thinking and development from that.

Did your meeting negate the possibility of a left alliance or is it still a possibility?

The leaders of the coalition have been reiterating the need to take the coalition ahead.

Why couldn’t the various departments including fulfilling the posts of party treasurer within the party get completion?

It is not for the CWC to decide on the fulfillment of the party’s departments. The party president has the right to do so. He has said he will complete the task soon. He will also decide on Treasurer and bring a proposal.

Usually, it used to take around six months. It is not something unusual. However, it should not be too late. I believe the posts lying vacant will be fulfilled soon.

Did not the CWC meeting discuss the date for the policy convention of the party?

There was pressure on the leadership to organize the general convention within the mandatory period and submit the details of the CWC to the Election Commission on time. We had a time constraint.

Hence, we were unable to discuss and decide on the policy issues and the party leaders agreed to organize the policy convention at a convenient time. Now we are under the pressure of the forthcoming general election. Organizing a convention is not possible now.

How is it that NC general secretaries disagree with the government’s performance and party President Deuba’s working style? Why do they disagree?

Many friends in the CWC have also questioned them. Anyone can raise questions. Being questioned does not prove anyone wrong.

The party president plans to make a decision by getting everyone’s consent. Although the decision-making might take time, the decisions are mature and apt.

NC General Secretary Gagan Thapa complained that they are not included in the decision-making process and they get the party decisions from the press. What does it mean?

He (President Deuba) also said that when he phoned to update the decisions, they were out of contact. One should know the reality.

We also want the government to run effectively. We want to see the people’s problems should be addressed at the earliest. We expect the government to mobilize the resources more efficiently.

If the top leaders of the party criticized the party, how would the government have run?

Criticism means opposition within the party or means we would have done better. We have to consider how much damage such acts make to the party. What did the CWC’s unanimous decision mean?  

As party president Deuba has just been on his one-year term. It has been quite successful. The CWC appreciated it. His leadership has been successful in all ways. Getting the MCC passed, and freeing the country from the trauma of COVID-19, are some major achievements.

Why did not the cabinet write to the United States regarding State Partnership Program (SPP)?

Due action has already been taken in this regard. This issue has been raised to make a mountain out of a molehill. This issue has been raised to bring controversy unnecessarily.

SPP was not brought forward by this government. Correspondence is not even our issue. Even if it is not implemented, it does not matter.

Running a government is a very difficult matter in a country like Nepal. The government should solve the problems of the people.

The increase in the price of petroleum products has made people’s lives difficult, and the scarcity of fertilizers and seeds have made farmers’ life difficult. 

Let the government work seriously on such issues. Responsible leaders should present in a responsible way in public. They should think about the party’s image in public.