KATHMANDU: CPN-UML has decided to forge an electoral alliance with the Nepali Congress for the upcoming National Assembly election scheduled for January 25.
The decision was taken during a Secretariat meeting held on Tuesday at the party’s central office in Chyasal, UML Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta said.
“An agreement has been reached to move forward together with the Nepali Congress in the National Assembly election. However, seat sharing has yet to be finalized,” Bhatta said. “As various clusters need to be balanced, the exact division of seats has not been determined. The two parties will settle this through mutual understanding.”
During the meeting, UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli indicated that the party could also align with the Nepal Communist Party or other like-minded forces in the National Assembly election. However, he ruled out any immediate discussion on alliances for the House of Representatives election.
“UML may decide to align with the Nepali Congress, the Nepal Communist Party, or other forces with similar views in the National Assembly election,” a leader quoted Oli as saying. “But there has been no discussion at this stage on the House of Representatives election.”
Oli told the meeting that the party’s strategy for the Falgun 21 House of Representatives election would depend on the evolving political situation. He stressed that UML should, as far as possible, create an environment to contest the election independently and secure victory.
“For now, the focus should be on preparing for the National Assembly election,” another leader quoted Oli as saying. “Whether to form alliances or go it alone in the House of Representatives election can be discussed later.”
The decision to align with the Nepali Congress followed a late-night meeting on Monday, when Congress Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka and leader Ramesh Lekhak met Oli at his residence in Gundu. The dialogue brought the two parties closer to an electoral understanding.
Earlier, the Nepali Congress had decided to claim eight seats for itself in the National Assembly election when contesting in alliance with other parties. Acting President Khadka briefed the UML Secretariat on this position during the meeting.
Bhatta clarified that no discussions have been held regarding alliance arrangements for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.
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