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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN (Unified Socialist) senior leader Jhalnath Khanal held a meeting on Tuesday.

During the meeting that took place at the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar this morning, the two leaders discussed the formation of the Sudurpaschim provincial government and the role of the Unified Socialist party, among other political topics.

Manohari Timilsina, the Prime Minister's press expert, said PM Dahal and leader Khanal discussed contemporary political issues on the occasion.

Is it possible for Nepal’s major communist parties to unite and establish a robust, unified communist entity? Leaders from the prominent leftist parties—CPN (Maoist Center), CPN-UML, and CPN (Unified Socialist)—acknowledge the allure of such a union, yet express doubts about its realization. They attribute this uncertainty mainly to the intricacies of power-sharing dynamics and the personal egos of senior figures.

In Nepal’s modern political history, a powerful communist party Nepal Communist Party (NCP) was formed in 2018 after the unification between CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center). However, the harmony among its top leaders—KP Sharma Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and Madhav Kumar Nepal—proved short-lived. The root cause of their discord lay in a struggle for control over both the party and the government. Despite initial attempts at reconciliation, subsequent alliances faltered, leading to renewed efforts on March 4 to pursue the vision of a unified communist front. While Dahal remains vocal about his commitment to this cause, UML adopts a cautious stance, refraining from labeling it as a communist alliance outright.

UML leaders suspect Dahal's motives, viewing his push for unity as a tactic to prolong his tenure and retain power under the guise of communist solidarity. Dahal, however, has clarified his intentions, stating that his aim was to unite leftist parties, not to secure the prime ministership. Following the formation of a new coalition, Dahal and Oli made concerted efforts to persuade CPN (Unified Socialist) leader Nepal to join, possibly even offering him the premiership after Dahal. However, tensions surfaced when Nepal's faction aligned with the Nepali Congress, causing a rift among the leaders to form the government in Sudurpaschim province. The fact that the three communist parties failed to field a common candidate for the upcoming by-election in Ilam-2 also suggests the lack of trust between them.   

On Monday, Oli clearly said that the unity among the communist parties could be detrimental to both the current government and the country. While he acknowledged the importance of unity, the UML chair was critical of the parties that claim to be leftist and align with the Nepali Congress. He was hinting at the CPN (Unified Socialist)-Nepali Congress alliance in Sudurpaschim. Oli cautioned against harboring the illusion of political strength through unification with such entities.

The notion of communist unity holds appeal mainly for second-rung leaders and they are actively seeking to realize it. They seem hopeful despite the apparent reluctance shown by the senior leaders. 

Leaders who have made communist unity their agenda say it will take some time for the parties to come together. According to one Maoist leader, unification between communist parties is inevitable.  

“To face up with the new political forces, there is no alternative for the communist parties to come together,” he says.

But Nepal’s communist parties have historically been plagued by factionalism and division. Theirs is a history of polarization and intragroup conflicts. As the murmurs grow regarding the unification among major communist parties, so too do whispers of an alliance between Congress and UML. Only time will tell if the leftist forces can set aside their differences and march as one towards a shared future.

Pakistan Embassy, Kathmandu hosted a reception to commemorate the 84th National Day of Pakistan at Hotel Radisson Blu here.

Vice President of Nepal Dr. Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav was the chief guest of the program.

Senior Nepalese political, civic and business leaders, civil and military officials, Ambassadors, diplomats, Pakistani community, journalists, and civil society representatives attended the event.

In his remarks, Ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal, Abrar H Hashmi, underlined the historical importance of the Pakistan Resolution adopted on 23rd March 1940. He paid rich tribute to the forefathers under the visionary leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for pursing democratic struggle for the creation of Pakistan. He said Pakistan has contributed to the global peace, aspires friendship and peaceful coexistence. 

Ambassador stated that since establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960, Pakistan and Nepal have enjoyed cordial relations and developed strong bonds. He elaborated that Pakistan and Nepal share a unique tapestry from geography to civilizational linkages, from peaks of Himalayas to rich heritage, and cultural similarities unite the two peoples together. He hoped that building on existing collaboration in education, health, defense and the bilateral mechanisms, cooperation enabled by ICT, and concerns emanating from climate change could enrich this relationship.  

The Nepal Army band played tunes of national anthems at the reception, as well as few Pakistani songs captivating the audience. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the construction of tunnel road has a significant role in the enhancement of road connectivity.

In his address to a ceremony organized to mark a breakthrough of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Road today, the Prime Minister said the achievement is significant in the area of infrastructure development.

This kind of road connectivity will play a crucial role in meeting the national goals for promoting interconnectivity for convenient and affordable travel, for promoting geographical and democratic closeness, and for maintaining provincial balance in terms of development, according to the Prime Minister. 

He said that the government will pursue a policy of prioritizing the construction of tunnel roads, flyovers, and underpasses along the national highways to establish advanced road connectivity.

Similarly, the government head took time to say that the latest economic indicators suggest hopes in efforts to achieve prosperity. 

He claimed that the revenue collection is improving. The reduction in fuel imports with the promotion of electric vehicles, noticeable progress in cement export, a rise in exports of corrugated zinc sheets and steel, a rise in the arrivals of tourists, and the expansion of housing and apartment businesses outside Kathmandu Valley have spread a positive message to the economic sphere.

PM Dahal called one and all to create a wider hope for advancing toward the establishment of good governance, social justice, and prosperity by overthrowing the pessimistic narrative that nothing will happen.

The Prime Minister also expressed his hope that the Third Investment Summit that Nepal is hosting on April 28-29 will explore the potential for investment in Nepal's development in the international forum.