KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML are on the verge of finalizing an agreement to form a new government by next Monday.
In the first phase, a 15-member cabinet is expected, featuring both Bishnu Paudel of CPN-UML and Prakash Man Singh of Nepali Congress as Deputy Prime Ministers.
Under Article 76(2) of the Constitution, leaders from NC and UML, engaged in intensive discussions for 12 days, have negotiated the allocation of ministries for the new government.
They have agreed to form two Deputy Prime Minister positions, nominating Singh from NC and Paudel from UML, both former Deputy Prime Ministers.
Initially hesitant, UML Chairman KP Oli eventually consented to appoint a Deputy Prime Minister only after Singh and Paudel’s inclusion in the government.
Prime Minister Dahal is slated to seek a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives today.
NC-UML leaders are confident that, pursuant to Article 76(2), the President will summon the formation of a new government following the anticipated failure of the vote.
Prime Minister Dahal has, however, indicated that the matter of government formation could potentially be contested in court.
According to a NC leader, Prime Minister Dahal had agreed on ministry distribution prior to seeking the vote of confidence, a decision discussed during a meeting with UML Chairman Oli at Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, as fringe parties have decided to join the NC-UML coalition, the NC-UML coalition plans to reduce the number of ministers.
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