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Throughout Monday, the media and political circles were on edge due to reports of a possible change of government. Even top leaders of major parties were struggling to uncover what had transpired during recent meetings between Sher Bahadur Deuba, leader of the main opposition Nepali Congress, and KP Sharma Oli, CPN-UML chairman and a major coalition partner in the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government. 

The secrecy maintained by Deuba and Oli regarding the content of their meetings has further fuelled the rumor that NC is attempting to remove Dahal from power by forming a new alliance with UML. 

Despite the rapid developments on Monday and chatter on social media, there were no clear indications of any top-level political maneuvers. 

But according to multiple sources, it is evident that Congress has indeed offered the premiership to Oli, who was ousted from power in 2021 following a Supreme Court order. Oli and his party may take some time to decide on the offer from NC, the largest party in the 275-member House of Representatives. 

After a long gap, Deuba visited Oli's residence in Balkot this Saturday, following two rounds of talks in Kathmandu. There are reports that Deuba and Oli have agreed to form a national consensus government to address current issues such as constitutional implementation and economic challenges. Oli has repeatedly stated that the country cannot progress in its current state and is consulting within his party about the NC’s offer.

Oli is reportedly dissatisfied with the government's performance, including the recently passed budget, which he claims was introduced without coalition consultation. This makes it difficult for him to make an immediate decision, especially since his closest rival, NC, has offered him the prime ministerial position.

In a meeting with his party’s top leaders on Monday, Deuba mentioned his cordial relationship with Oli but refrained from commenting further on their ongoing talks. Deuba did not share concrete details with his party colleagues. On the same day, Prime Minister Dahal and Oli held a lengthy discussion, but neither side disclosed the content of their meetings. When asked about the possibility of becoming prime minister, Oli told journalists that he might not assume the role this year.

Amid discussions of an NC-UML alliance, Prime Minister Dahal addressed the Cabinet, assuring them that the current government would continue for a long time. Government Spokesperson Rekha Sharma stated, “The prime minister briefed that media reports regarding a new government are untrue and there have been no talks about forming a national unity government.”

Sources indicate that Oli favors forming a national unity government rather than a coalition of just two parties. The key agenda for such a government would be to amend the constitution, change the current electoral system, and remove secularism from the constitution.

A Cabinet meeting held Monday approved the National Strategy and Action Plan on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing.

The meeting also decided to approve Rs 382.2 million in grants to be received from the Government of Japan for human resource development, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said.

According to Minister Sharma, the Cabinet meeting decided to table a bill in the Federal Parliament designed to amend the Securities Act, 2063 BS. 

Likewise, a decision has been made to table the bills designed to amend the Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2076 BS and Nepal Bar Council Act, 2050 BS.

Minister Sharma said that a decision has been made to provide 107 hectares of land in Lamkichuha Municipality for the Rani-Jamara-Kulariya Irrigation Project.

The main opposition Nepali Congress said that discussions are being held with parties about the power equation.

"It is not strange that the Congress being the largest party should lead the government. The party leadership is holding discussions with various parties about the same," party spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat said.

Mahat said so while the issue of forming a Congress-CPN-UML alliance is being discussed.

Earlier on Saturday, Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli held a meeting at Balkot.

After the meeting, this has become a hot issue in the country.

The Finance Ministry has disbursed Rs 35 million for the treatment of people suffering from chronic illness.

Finance Minister Barshaman Pun approved a file for the disbursement of the amount for kidney patients, dialysis patients, cancer patients and spinal paralysis patients.

The patients have been getting Rs 5, 000 per month as per the procedure pertaining to treatment expenses 2078.

The local levels from across the country had demanded the amount through the Health Ministry.

The Finance Ministry said that the amount was released from the budget of current fiscal year.

The amount will be deposited in the patients bank account through the local level.