KATHMANDU: Leaders of the ruling coalition are holding talks to form a new government in Koshi province.
The meeting also includes the participation of leaders from parliamentary parties representing Koshi province.
On Saturday, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Maoist Center, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, and President of the Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba, held talks with Rajendra Lingden, Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).
Indra Bahadur Angbo, the leader of the Maoist Center’s Koshi Province Parliamentary Party, has come to Kathmandu to participate in the discussions.
Parties explore three options
In their effort to form a government, the leaders of the ruling coalition are exploring various possibilities within the coalition party.
However, both the ruling coalition and the CPN-UML have failed to secure a majority (support of 47 provincial assembly members). As a result, three options are being considered by the ruling coalition.
The first option involves forming a new government with the largest party in the parliament, which is currently the CPN-UML.
The ruling alliance, comprising the Congress and the Maoists, is attempting to prevent the formation of a government under the CPN-UML’s leadership.
As a second option, they are seeking the support of the RPP, a party seen as crucial in determining the government’s formation.
Bhakti Prasad Sitaula, the leader of the RPP’s Koshi Province Parliamentary Party, has confirmed ongoing discussions with various parties, but no final decision has been reached yet.
In case the RPP declines to join the ruling coalition, the leaders are preparing to ask the resignation of Speaker Baburam Gautam.
Last Friday, Nepali Congress General Minister Bishwa Prakash Sharma stated that Speaker Gautam’s resignation would be appropriate.
Notably, on July 6, Nepali Congress leader Uddhav Thapa was appointed Chief Minister with the support of Speaker Baburam Gautam after CPN-UML leader Hikmat Kumar Karki failed to secure a vote of confidence.
However, the full bench of the Supreme Court invalidated Thapa’s appointment last Thursday.
Given the Supreme Court’s directive to form a new government within seven days, as per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution, the parties are making internal preparations for this process.
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