KATHMANDU, Aug. 6: Internal disputes within the CPN-UML have cast uncertainty over the formation of new provincial governments and cabinet expansions across the country.
Despite an agreement between the UML and the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) to form new provincial governments, the UML has failed to resolve its internal differences. As a result, government formation in Koshi and Bagmati provinces has stalled, while cabinet expansion in other provinces has also been delayed.
After failing to settle the dispute at the provincial level, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli summoned leaders from Koshi and Bagmati provinces to Kathmandu for discussions. On Wednesday, he held talks with Bagmati Chief Minister Hikmat Karki, UML Koshi Chair Ghanshyam Khatiwada, Secretary Raj Kumar Bhandari and other party leaders.
It has been 15 days since the UML withdrew from the Bagmati provincial government, but no party has been able to demonstrate a majority in the provincial assembly. Even the UML, which left the government with the intention of forming a new administration in alliance with the NCP, is struggling to secure the required numbers.
The government led by Nepali Congress (NC) leader Indra Bahadur Baniya, representing the largest party in Bagmati Province, has been reduced to a minority. Both the NC and the UML are now working to secure enough support to form the next government.
The NC has brought the Hami Nepali Party, which holds two seats in the provincial assembly, into its alliance, increasing its strength to 38 seats. The UML and the NCP together hold 51 seats. However, since the acting Speaker belongs to the UML and cannot vote under normal circumstances, the alliance effectively has only 50 votes. A minimum of 53 votes is required to form the government.
For the UML-NCP alliance to form a government in Bagmati, support from either the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) or the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party (NMKP) is essential. Meanwhile, the NC would need support from all parties except the UML and the NCP to secure a majority.
The UML has reportedly begun informal talks with the RPP to explore the possibility of forming a government in Bagmati. UML provincial lawmaker Jayaraj Thapa said discussions were underway with the RPP's parliamentary party leader.
"We have not sent any formal letter to the RPP. We are holding discussions with its parliamentary party leader," Thapa said. "He will hold further discussions with the party chair."
UML considers changing parliamentary party leader
Meanwhile, the UML is considering replacing its parliamentary party leader in Bagmati Province.
Infighting deepens as RJPN weighs options
Thapa said several lawmakers had questioned the performance of the current parliamentary party leader. "About 20 lawmakers are dissatisfied with his working style," he said. "The party leadership has asked us not to make any changes for now. However, if necessary, the parliamentary party leader can be replaced immediately."
He said the party was considering appointing Kiran Thapa as the new parliamentary party leader. "We need support from both the NCP and the RPP to form the government. His coordination with the RPP has not been effective," he said. "The parliamentary party leader should be someone who can secure the RPP's support."
The government formation process in Bagmati remains mired in political bargaining and numbers.
NCP lawmaker Krishna Prasad Khanal said the RPP's decision would be crucial. "We still need three more seats to secure a majority," he said. "For that, either the NMKP or the RPP must extend its support."
RPP says it will not join provincial government for now
The RPP, however, has decided not to immediately join the provincial government.
RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden said his party had neither held formal discussions nor made any decision on joining the government.
Speaking to Republica, Lingden said the party was not seeking an opportunity to join the government on its own. "We have not made any calculations at present. We have not held formal talks with any party, and no party has approached us for support," he said. "Our policy is not to seek opportunities ourselves. If we wanted to join the government, we would have approached them."
He said any party seeking the RPP's support should initiate discussions. "If others want our support, they should come to us for talks," he said.
Lingden also said the party had received information that some political parties were holding separate discussions with individual RPP lawmakers, adding that the matter was being taken seriously.
Commenting on the Bagmati political equation, Lingden said other options remained available.
"There is the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party and other parties in Bagmati. If they join hands with the Congress, the issue is settled. They can divide the remaining power and run the government for the remaining six months," he said sarcastically.
Lingden made it clear that the RPP would not become part of any numerical game in government formation and said the final decision on whether to join the Bagmati government would rest with the party leadership.
Current strength of the Bagmati Assembly
The Bagmati Provincial Assembly currently has 104 members.
The NC holds 36 seats, the UML 25, the former CPN (Maoist Centre) 20, the RPP 13, the former CPN (Unified Socialist) six, the NMKP three and the Hami Nepali Party two.
One lawmaker each from the UML, the former Maoist Centre, the NC and the former Unified Socialist has resigned to contest the federal parliamentary election.
NC lawmaker Ram Krishna Chitrakar said the party was working to bring other parties on board to form a government under NC leadership.
He said that if the NC failed to secure a majority, it would seek to form the government under Article 168(3) of the Constitution, which allows the leader of the largest party in the provincial assembly to become chief minister.
Constitutional options for government formation
Under the Constitution, a chief minister must seek a vote of confidence within 30 days after a supporting party withdraws its backing.
If the chief minister fails to win the confidence vote, the provincial chief must invite parties to form a majority government under Article 168(2).
If no party commands a majority, the provincial chief appoints the leader of the largest party as chief minister under Article 168(3).
Under this provision, the NC could claim the opportunity to lead the government.
Within 30 days, the provincial chief must again invite parties to form a majority government. If that effort also fails, a chief minister may be appointed under Article 168(5).
Under Article 168(5), party whips do not apply, allowing lawmakers to vote independently. This provision was used to appoint the chief minister in Koshi Province.
Background of the Bagmati power-sharing dispute
The NC-UML coalition has been governing Bagmati Province since July 2024 under a power-sharing agreement reached at the federal level.
The two parties agreed to lead the provincial government for 20 months each. However, the handover was delayed because of internal disputes within the NC.
Under the agreement, the NC was expected to transfer leadership to the UML on March 22.
