KATHMANDU, Jan 8: A last-minute dispute over seat allocation has derailed a potential alliance, with the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) withdrawing from coordination talks with the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML regarding the National Assembly election.
The NCP had sought four of the 18 National Assembly seats, but sources say it withdrew after the NC–UML alliance agreed to offer only three. While pulling out, the NCP said discussions on a possible equation could continue until the eve of voting.
Voting for the National Assembly is scheduled for January 25, with candidate nominations filed on Wednesday. The NC and the UML have jointly registered candidates, while the NCP has opted to contest the election independently.
Talks have also been ongoing about possible cooperation among the three parties in the House of Representatives (HoR) election. However, those discussions have failed to gain momentum amid internal rifts within the NC over its general convention and divisions within the NCP—particularly involving the Madhav Kumar Nepal faction—which have complicated efforts to engage the UML.
Although NCP co-coordinator Madhav Nepal appears inclined toward cooperation, several leaders from his faction, dating back to the CPN (Unified Socialist) period, oppose electoral alliances. Differences among former CPN (Maoist Centre) leaders have further weakened prospects for unity, prompting NCP coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal to publicly downplay the likelihood of immediate cooperation.
Following the collapse of talks over the National Assembly seat sharing, Dahal said the NCP would neither enter an electoral alliance nor cooperate with any party, opting instead to take its message directly to the people.
Dahal had met UML Chair KP Sharma Oli a few days earlier—their first interaction in a long time. The meeting, held shortly before Dahal’s trip to New Delhi, fueled speculation that a breakthrough on electoral cooperation was imminent. However, the subsequent withdrawal of the NCP has put those assumptions to rest.
Early setback for left alliance as Bhattarai decides to quit
Dahal’s Delhi visit, along with trips by other senior leaders, has also stirred political suspicion at home. Some observers believe external factors may have influenced the NCP’s decision to stay out of the NC–UML alliance.
As preparations intensify for the National Assembly and HoR elections, analysts say such suspicions are inevitable when senior leaders travel to Delhi. Political analyst and professor Krishna Pokharel cautioned against viewing Dahal’s visit merely as an interaction with the Nepali diaspora.
“Since Dahal met KP Oli before leaving for Delhi, it is natural to assume that political discussions took place. Media reports about meetings in Delhi have only added to the suspicions among other parties,” Pokharel said.
The near-simultaneous Delhi visits by leaders ranging from NCP coordinator Dahal to former foreign minister and NC leader Arzu Rana Deuba have further fueled speculation. Soon after Progressive Democratic Party patron and former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai returned from Delhi, Dahal completed his two-day visit and flew back to Kathmandu on Monday night.
After returning, Dahal told a party meeting that there would be no electoral alliance with any party. Around the same time, reports emerged that he had convened a Secretariat meeting and explored cooperation with the NC and the UML alongside co-coordinator Nepal. Sources claim Dahal was open to cooperation if the NCP received four National Assembly seats, but backed out when that demand was not met.
As Dahal was returning to Kathmandu, NC leader Arzu Rana Deuba arrived in Delhi. Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s husband, Durgaprasad Subedi, also traveled to Delhi on Sunday evening for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Vice Chair Swarnim Wagle is scheduled to leave for Delhi on Thursday to attend a public program. Although Dahal has said his Delhi trip was for a diaspora-related event, reports suggest he also held discussions with Indian power centers during his stay.
Media reports have claimed that Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Advisor, met Dahal at Hotel Taj Man Singh near Khan Market during the visit. Similar high-level meetings ahead of the November 2022 general election had eventually led Dahal into an electoral alliance with the NC.
Amid growing speculation that the NC, UML, and NCP could explore cooperation—especially after Rabi Lamichhane, Balen Shah, and Kulman Ghising reportedly aligned under the Rastriya Swatantra Party banner—Dahal ultimately chose not to join hands in the National Assembly election.
Meanwhile, nine NC leaders have filed nominations for the January 25 National Assembly election, following a decision by the party’s Central Working Committee. Candidates include Sunil Bahadur Thapa (Koshi), Dhamendra Paswan and Ranjit Karn (Madhesh), Gita Devkota (Bagmati), Jagat Timilsina (Gandaki), Basudev Janglai and Chandrabahadur KC (Lumbini), Lalitjung Shahi (Karnali), and Khamba Bahadur Khati (Sudurpaschim).
In the 18-seat election, the UML has fielded candidates for eight seats, the Madheshi Front for one, and the NC for nine through joint coordination.
‘Left forces should unite in elections’
NCP leader Maheshwar Dahal
With the election atmosphere taking shape, there is talk of three parties coming together. However, our party believes in contesting independently and engaging in healthy competition rather than forming alliances.
The National Assembly election itself has shown that the NCP should go it alone. Personally, I believe the left forces should unite—people are also looking for such unity. But at this moment, I do not see that happening.
Although there was hope that Dahal’s meeting with KP Sharma Oli before his Delhi visit would yield results, the candidate nominations in the National Assembly election suggest otherwise. Political dialogue between the two leaders is essential. If elections are to be contested jointly, the left forces should unite; otherwise, parties should compete separately.
