CHITAWAN, Jan 28: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Shashank Koirala has said that his party is ready to join the coalition government-led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal if it is offered the portfolio of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA).

Talking with Republica Daily on Saturday, the NC’s Central Working Committee (CWC) member Koirala said the party will join the government provided the allocation will be graceful. “We aim to strengthen the present government. However, our strategy will be based on whether we will be offered a position of president or a vital ministry,” Koirala said.   

Koirala’s remarks come after Rabi Lamichhane resigned from the post of home minister on Friday after the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed him as a member of parliament. Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)-led by Lamichhane is a major coalition partner of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government. 

The apex court found Lamichhane guilty over his citizenship case. Following the verdict of the apex court’s constitutional bench, Lamichhane reached the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Baluwatar and tendered his resignation.

After the NC turned flexible to support the present coalition government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the country’s leading political party has been heavily criticized for being lured just for seats in the Cabinet. Critics say the NC has failed to assume a role of the main opposition party in the parliament. 

 
• MoHA
 
• NC