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When Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ditched the Nepali Congress to form a new coalition with the CPN-UML, he noted that he felt it necessary to deliver what he had promised the country. To ensure good governance and improve the political and economic situation of the country, he said he was compelled to make the move. For the prime minister, the Congress party was hindering his efforts to bring changes that could be felt by the people.      

Leaders close to Dahal say the prime minister brought the UML onboard to reinvigorate his government—although the UML on its part was also working behind the scene to break the Maoist-NC alliance. The UML felt that the Maoist-NC alliance was formed with the express purpose of keeping the UML out of power. So the party was quietly exploring ways to undo the Maoist-NC partnership, which had a strong backing from internal and external powers.  

On the face of it, the UML was focused on its ‘Mission 84’ campaign to strengthen the party’s structure and support base targeting the general elections of 2084 BS (2027). But when Prime Minister Dahal sought UML’s support to form a new coalition, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli agreed without hesitation. This time Oli did not bargain much when it came to power-sharing. While there may have been a gentlemen’s agreement between Oli and Dahal on leading the government on equal terms for the remaining four years, there was no written deal. 

It appears that Oli was more lenient this time, that he was willing to make some sacrifices. The UML did not bargain for powerful ministries and even agreed to support the Maoist candidate for the NA chairpersonship, a major bone of contention between the Maoist and the NC. 

One UML leader says since the party did not demand attractive ministries, such as the foreign affairs, home, and finance, it helped Prime Minister Dahal to expand his Cabinet without much hassle. Oli suggested Prime Minister Dahal and other coalition partner leaders to choose their preferred ministries. 

The UML also did not send any of its senior leaders to join the Dahal-led Cabinet. For instance, senior leader Bishnu Poudel, who had earlier served as a finance minister, refused to join the government.

The uncharacteristic approach taken by Oli while joining the Maoist-led government has raised a debate whether the UML is committed to the coalition. Is it a half-hearted commitment, or is it the UML’s ploy to keep the Dahal government weak? None, says Bishnu Rijal, a UML central committee member. For Chairman Oli and the UML, he says, breaking the Maoist-NC partnership was crucial to bring political stability. Gaining important ministries was never a priority for Chairman Oli and the party, adds Rijal.   

The UML seems comfortable just supporting the Maoist-led coalition government, and allowing Prime Minister Dahal to effectively implement his plans. Dahal has mentioned that with the Nepali Congress, he felt limited and was unable to produce the desired results. The prime minister was mainly dissatisfied with former finance minister from the NC, Prakash Sharan Mahat, for not involving him in key decisions.  

Rijal says Oli believes that Prime Minister Dahal should be allowed to work without any pressure from his coalition partners. 

It is apparent that if Oli becomes prime minister, he expects the same from his coalition partners: a free hand to run the government affairs. When Oli led a powerful communist government in 2018, senior leaders including Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal had criticized him for not consulting with them on the issues related to the government. The infighting eventually led Oli to dissolve the parliament and to the break-up of the erstwhile Nepal Communist Party. 

Oli has provided Prime Minister Dahal free rein to work on his vision of good governance and improved economy. The onus now lies on Dahal to effectively lead the latest coalition. Like in the case of the Nepali Congress, he cannot use the excuse of ‘non-cooperation from coalition partners’ in case this alliance were to break up again.   

The only challenge Prime Minister Dahal may face could be from his other coalition partner, Rastriya Swatantra Party, which leads the Ministry of Home Affairs. A senior UML leader says his party will fully support Dahal’s leadership so long as he works honestly without harboring any ulterior motives to safeguard his position. 

The Dahal government should now expedite the process of finalizing the common minimum program and put serious effort into its execution. If he leads successfully, UML leaders say, the party will also consider building a long-term alliance of communist parties. For now, everything rests on Prime Minister Dahal’s action.  

The government has recommended President Ram Chandra Paudel to relieve the chiefs of three provinces—Madhes, Gandaki and Sudurpaschim.

A Cabinet meeting held on Monday decided to recommend President Paudel to relieve Madhes Province Chief Hari Shankar Mishra, Gandaki Province Chief Prithviman Gurung and Sudurpaschim Province Chief Devraj Joshi of their position, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said.

Meanwhile, the government has recommended the appointment of new province chiefs in their place.

According to her, the government has decided to recommend Sumitra Bhandari as the chief of Madhes Province, Dilliraj Bhatta as the chief of Gandaki Province and Najir Miya as the chief of Sudurpaschim Province.

Sharma, who is also the government spokesperson, said that they were relieved of their position for the necessary coordination between the federal and province governments.

“It is necessary to have coordination between federal and province governments. Ministers are being appointed and dismissed in the provinces. This has been done to facilitate the coordination,” she said.

Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah on Monday appointed Laxman Kishor Chaudhary of Nagarik Unmukti Party as the minister without portfolio.

Province Chief Devraj Joshi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chaudhary amidst a function.

Among the seven Province Assembly members, five have become the ministers—four ministers and one state minister—in the Sudurpaschim Province.

The Chief Minister on Friday appointed the party's Parliamentary Party leader as Minister for Minister for Economic Affairs, Khusram Chaudhary as Minister without portfolio and Indira Giri as State Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Earlier, Rameshwor Chaudhary was appointed as the Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Apart from Minister for Economic Affairs Shivaraj Bhatta, seven have become ministers from Kailali alone in the Sudurpaschim Province.

Bhatta is a Province Assembly member of Nepali Congress from Baitadi.

The main opposition party, Nepali Congress (NC), has issued a whip to its lawmakers to vote against the confidence motion to be presented in the House of Representatives by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. 

NC Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak, through a note today, issued the directive to the party's lawmakers to mandatorily be physically present in the meeting of the House of Representatives convening at 11 am on March 13, and to vote against the PM's proposal seeking the vote of confidence.

Prime Minister Dahal is scheduled to present a proposal in the meeting of the House of Representatives slated for 11 am on March 13, seeking a vote of confidence.