KATHMANDU, Dec 31: The CPN (Unified Socialist)-led by Madhav Kumar Nepal is set to join the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government and is expected to get at least two ministerial portfolios.

The party is highly likely to join the government as overwhelming leaders of the party during a virtual meeting stood in favor of joining the Dahal-led government and simultaneously work towards strengthening the party’s organization. The party had organised the virtual meeting with the leaders across the country on Wednesday and Thursday, according to senior leaders of the party.

At least three prominent lines of thoughts have emerged during the two-day consultative meeting organized to chart out the party’s future course of action in the aftermath of CPN (Maoist Center) breaking the ties with the Nepali Congress (NC)-led alliance.

While a section of leaders including Jhala Nath Khanal and Mukunda Neupane are in favor of unification with the CPN-UML, some other leaders have stood in favor of staying in the opposition and working towards further strengthening the party’s organization. 

“However, an overwhelming majority of leaders across the country have suggested the party’s top leadership to join the Dahal-led government and simultaneously work towards strengthening the party’s organization at the local level,” said a senior leader of the party.

The CPN (Unified Socialist) has secured victory in 10 HoR constituencies. Party insiders said Prime Minister Dahal, who is also the chairman of Maoist Center, has offered two ministerial berths to the Unified Socialist. “It is almost clear that Unified Socialist will extend support to the Dahal-led government when it seeks a vote of confidence in parliament. We will be joining the government with at least two ministries,” said the leader, asking not to be named. “We will join the government even as Nepali Congress is persuading us not to be a part of the new alliance.”

The Dahal-led government is supported by CPN-UML-led by KP Sharma Oli. Although the Unified Socialist will join the government supported by the UML—the second largest party in parliament--, there is no immediate possibility of the unification of the party with the UML, said the leaders.

Sources said a section of UML leaders including Bishnu Poudel, Subash Nembang, Prithivi Subba Gurung and Mahesh Basnet are quietly holding negotiations with the Unified Socialist top leaders for the unification. Leaders said the unification between the two parties is not possible unless UML Chairman K P Oli acknowledges that his decision to dissolve parliament was a wrong move.

Party insiders said Unified Socialist Chairman Nepal is highly skeptical of Oli although the second-rung leaders have intensified negotiation for the unification since a few weeks ago. “Our party chairman has also made it clear that he can enter into any negotiation on the issue of unification only after there is behavioral and attitudinal change in Oli. The unification with the UML looks not possible any time soon,” added the leader close to Chairman Nepal.

 
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