KATHMANDU, May 11: Health Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) leader Gagan Thapa has said that the present ruling coalition between NC and CPN (Maoist Center) will not break up until January, 2018, the constitutional deadline for concluding the local, provincial and national elections.
Claiming that NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba will be elected prime minister immediately after the first phase of the local polls, Thapa urged one and all not to have doubts over the implementation of the agreement between NC and the Maoist Center with regard to handover of the prime ministership.
“There is a fair understanding between the NC and the Maoist Center on changing the leadership of the government after the first phase of the local polls. A new government will be formed under the leadership of the NC president after May 14,” Thapa said speaking at a press conference organized by the publicity department of the NC on Wednesday.
Ruling coalition yet to finalize seat distribution for polls
Thapa further claimed that the ruling coalition won't be break up without concluding the three sets of elections by January 2018.
Stating that the Upendra Yadav-led Federal Socialist Forum Nepal has taken part in the first phase of the local level elections, Thapa said the agitating Rastriya Janata Party Nepal will also take part in the second phase of the local elections.
Thapa was of the view that the local poll is an opportunity for the people to give the country a sense of direction by electing a force trusted by the people. “This poll will not just elect the local representatives but will also serve as a political barometer for the country,” Thapa said. “This election will also offer the people an opportunity to choose between extremist and moderate forces.”
