KATHMANDU: Following the seven-point agreement reached on July 1, 2024, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML divided control of the government between the center and the provinces.
However, dissatisfaction with the ruling coalition is now surfacing within provincial governments.
Under the agreement, Nepali Congress took leadership in the Sudurpaschim, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, while the UML led Koshi, Lumbini, and Karnali provinces.
The Janamat Party, which supported the federal government, was given control of the Madhesh provincial government.
According to the central agreement, the Nepali Congress, UML, and Janamat parties formed governments in their respective provinces and included their coalition partners in the councils of ministers.
However, growing dissatisfaction within Nepali Congress over the federal government’s performance is now reflecting in the provincial leadership.
Amar Singh Pun, President of Congress’s Lumbini Province, also comments on the underperformance of the provincial government. “The provincial government still faces significant challenges in terms of capacity and ability to deliver,” he said.
Provincial working committee leaders in Congress are questioning the effectiveness of the provincial governments led by coalition partners.
Congress’s Koshi Province Working Committee President Uddhav Thapa remarks, “The government’s achievements and shortcomings are becoming widely known. We can’t ignore this growing awareness.”
In Koshi Province, Hikmat Kumar Karki, elected from UML, serves as Chief Minister, with Nepali Congress ministers also in his cabinet.
Thapa, who is also a member of the Koshi Provincial Assembly, acknowledges that the provincial government has not been able to deliver results that resonate with the public, mainly due to a lack of a conducive environment.
“The situation arose because the government did not create the proper environment for its work,” Thapa told Khabarhub.
“But now, with the environment changing, people will begin to see the government’s progress. Legal, practical, and budgetary matters all need to be addressed in harmony.”
The Congress-UML alliance has entrusted the leadership of Madhesh Province to the Janmat Party, led by Dr. CK Raut, with Satish Kumar Singh as Chief Minister.
Krishna Prasad Yadav, President of Nepali Congress’s Madhesh Province working committee, expresses dissatisfaction with the performance of the Madhesh provincial government under Chief Minister Singh. He feels that Singh’s leadership style has not been effective.
“The leadership’s activities and approach have not been very positive or active,” says Yadav.
“What has the government achieved so far? We raise these concerns in coalition meetings. While a Chief Minister has been designated, little has been implemented. I haven’t seen much success from this leadership.”
Yadav clarifies, however, that while the leadership should bear responsibility for both the positive and negative outcomes, it is not fair to solely blame Chief Minister Singh, as he is a partner in the coalition government.
“The Janmat Party is leading the Madhesh provincial government. While leadership must take primary responsibility for the outcomes, once in government, no one can claim all credit or blame. However, the leadership should bear the ultimate responsibility,” Yadav told Khabarhub.
Shahi did mention that consultations had begun on Wednesday through the first meeting of the two-party mechanism to discuss ways of improving the government’s effectiveness.
Amar Singh Pun, President of Congress’s Lumbini Province, also comments on the underperformance of the provincial government. “The provincial government still faces significant challenges in terms of capacity and ability to deliver,” he said.
Pun adds that the blame for the lack of results doesn’t lie solely with the provincial government.
“While weaknesses exist, another issue is that the leadership, staff, and administration are struggling to make the provincial government functional even after the establishment of the federal structure.”
Pun calls for empowering provincial governments to meet public expectations.
“We need to pass the necessary laws to empower the provincial government quickly,” he said. “It is also crucial to make the provincial leadership more accountable.”
The Lumbini provincial government is led by Chet Narayan Acharya from the UML, as per the agreement between Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, who is also the Prime Minister.
In Karnali Province, UML leader Yamalal Kandel serves as Chief Minister. However, Congress Karnali President Lalit Jung Shahi refrains from commenting on the government’s performance.
“I have just left the Karnali provincial-level mechanism meeting, which was formed to support the government,” Shahi told Khabarhub.
“I do not wish to express satisfaction or dissatisfaction at this moment, as I am stepping out of the meeting.”
Shahi did mention that consultations had begun on Wednesday through the first meeting of the two-party mechanism to discuss ways of improving the government’s effectiveness.
“We are in a coalition government. Consultations have started on how to make the government’s work and services more effective,” Shahi said. “Our focus is on improving the government’s performance.”
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