Prachanda’s remarks stir controversy within ruling coalition

KATHMANDU: Chairman of the Maoist Center and Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ stirred controversy within the ruling party with his assertion that the alliance with the Nepali Congress lacks benefits.

During the central committee meeting held on the eve of the party’s statute convention, Chairman Dahal assessed the political landscape, stating that the collaboration with the Nepali Congress has not proven advantageous for the Maoist Center.

Dahal emphasized the political necessity of cooperation with the Nepali Congress but expressed concerns about its overall impact on the party’s development.

“From a political standpoint, our cooperation with the Nepali Congress is a necessity. However, when considering the overall development of the party, it did not seem to be beneficial,” Dahal explained.

“We genuinely prioritized Nepali Congress as the first party. However, we have faced setbacks repeatedly,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Unified Socialist, Madhav Kumar Nepal, voiced his astonishment at Prime Minister Dahal’s stance on the alliance.

“I am surprised by his (Dahal’s) remakrs about the ruling alliance. I will discuss this with him as soon as we meet,” he stated.

Another leader of the coalition, Upendra Yadav, Chairman of the Janata Samajwadi Party, urged the leaders of the ruling coalition to “consider and review Prime Minister Dahal’s grudges.”

The coalition must examine the nature of the Prime Minister’s discontent, according to Yadav.

“His concerns should be brought to the forefront,” Yadav noted.

Yadav recommended against seeking an alternative to the current alliance, emphasizing that they should support the Prime Minister’s efforts.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa also described the Prime Minister’s remarks as thought-provoking.

“PM Dahal’s remakrs will be discussed in the party,” he said.

The situation worsened after the recently-held National Assembly election when the Maoist candidate Champa Karki, the ruling coalition’s common nominee in Koshi Province, was defeated.