KATHMANDU, May 7: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has initiated the process to bring Nepal Loktantrik Party (NLP)-led by Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar and Kamal Thapa-led Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) into the government.
Sources said Prime Minister Dahal held separate meetings with Gachchhadar and Thapa duo on Sunday. The meeting was focused on bringing both the parties into the government.
The latest overtures by Prime Minister Dahal come in the wake of Dahal reaching an understanding with Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba to hand over the prime ministership in the third week of May after the first phase of local election.
Sources close to Dahal said the prime minister is planning to administer the oath of office and secrecy to Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar as Deputy Prime Minister and Local Development Minister on Monday. Although Gachchhadar reportedly demanded the Ministry of Physical Planning and Transport Management portfolio, Dahal had persuaded him to head the local development ministry.
Gachchhadar's NLP declines Dahal offer to join govt
However, sources said the ministerial portfolio for Gachchhadar may change as the prime minister is still in negotiations with RRP Chairman Kamal Thapa to bring the latter into the government.
Prime Minister Dahal is likely to induct a few other ministers from Gachchhadar’s party on Monday itself. However, Gachchhadar, according to his party leaders, has put a condition that he should be allowed to head the same ministries even after Sher Bahadur Deuba becomes the prime minister.
RPP Chairman Thapa assumed the post of Deputy Prime Minister and Local Development Minister before the party decided to quit the government last week over the move by NC and the CPN (Maoist Center) to file impeachment motion against Chief Justice Sushila Karki. The party has maintained that it can join the government again if the prime minister makes a formal request, since the issue of impeachment against Chief Justice has already been settled by the court verdict.
RPP Chief Whip Dila Nath Giri said they decided to pull out from the government, terming the government’s move to impeach Chief Justice Karki as anti-constitutional and anti-democratic and in breach of the principles of separation of powers.
“We decided to quit the government as we were voting against the impeachment motion. Given the case is already settled through the court order, our party can hold discussions within the party if the prime minister makes a formal request,” said Giri, while hinting that RPP may join the government anytime soon.
Should RPP decide to join the government before the first phase of the local poll, leaders close to him said Prime Minister Dahal will reshuffle a few ministries that are currently held by NC. Among others, Thapa is learnt to have expressed his interest to head the foreign ministry. Earlier, RPP held four difference ministries including the local development and tourism.
