Submit your Article

Nepali Congress Bagmati Province Parliamentary Party leader Bahadur Lama has lost the post of Parliamentary Party leader.

Lama is also the Chief Minister of Bagmati Province.

In the vote that took place on a no-confidence motion registered against him, 15 NC provincial assembly members voted against the motion while 22 voted for it, ousting him from the post of Parliament Party leader.

The no-confidence motion was registered against him last Friday.

There are 37 provincial assembly members representing the Nepali Congress in the Bagmati Province Assembly and subsequent members of the NC Parliamentary Party.

The ruling coalition partner Nepali Congress (NC) has urged the government to urgently address the pressing problems faced by farmers across the Madhes Province such as shortage of drinking water and irrigation facilities and unavailability of fertilizers and seeds.

The call for urgent action was made in the meeting of NC office bearers and former office-bearers presided over by party President Sher Bahadur Deuba at his residence in Budhanilakantha today.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari briefed about the current status of the country's agriculture sector.

NC's Joint General-Secretary Jeevan Pariyar informed that the meeting emphasized collaborative efforts among all three-tiers of governments to resolve the drinking water problem and irrigation issues prevailing in  Madhes Province and to ensure timely supply of fertilizers and seeds.

He clarified that on the contrary to the public speculation, the meeting did not dwell on the issue relating to reshuffle of ministers in the federal government.

During the meeting, ministers currently serving in the government representing the NC also presented updates on the progress made by their respective ministries.

Likewise, General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma informed about the upcoming by-elections in Rupandehi district and the voter-related concerns.

Nepali Congress has taken action against leaders and cadres, who acted against the party’s candidates or candidates supported by the party, resulting in their defeat in the 2079 local, provincial and federal elections.

A meeting of the party's Central Disciplinary Committee held from June 23 to July 1 decided to expel and suspend individuals based on evidence of their malicious intent to undermine the party’s candidates or those supported by the party, using various tactics including social media, audio and visual, etc.

According to Committe coordinator Anand Prasad Dhungana, the Committee sought clarification from Mahasamiti member from Tehrathum, Tulsi Subba, Mahasamiti member from Kaski and former minister of Gandaki Province, Kumar Khadka, secretary of Lumbini Province, Bikram Khanal, President of Khotang, Bishnu Kumar Rai, and regional President of Parsa Constituency-1, Arvind Kumar Gupta.

Since their clarification was not found satisfactory, a decision has been made to expel them for one year based on the available evidence according to the Congress statute, and to expel Anand Yadav, Chair of the Laxminiya Rural Municipality in Dhanusha district, for six months. 

As their response to the clarification sought by the Central Disciplinary Committee was not satisfactory, it has been decided to suspend them for six months based on available evidence according to the NC statute, and to suspend Krishna KC, the former chair of NC Kaski, for three months, said coordinator Dhungana.

Nepali Congress (NC) leaders have voiced serious concerns that chronic factionalism, dysfunctional party structures, intra-party betrayal and a lack of clarity over electoral alliances could severely hurt the party’s performance in the 2027 national elections.

During the ongoing Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting, several leaders urged the party leadership to begin preparations for the upcoming elections. These concerns have intensified in light of CPN-UML’s aggressive ‘Mission 2084’ campaign, launched shortly after the last election, and the CPN (Maoist Center)’s continued grassroots mobilization since 2024.

Senior NC leader Narayan Prakash Saud criticized the party’s inaction. “On the one hand, our organizations are becoming obsolete, and on the other, we are alienating parties that have historically supported us. There are clear signs we will receive fewer votes than we did in the previous elections,” Saud warned during the CWC meeting.

CWC member Dila Sangraula questioned the party’s readiness to contest elections without any alliances. “What preparations have been made so far?” she asked. “If we contest alone, will we win 70–80 seats under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system—or just 25–30? Let’s think seriously.” In 2017, when NC fought the elections alone, it managed to secure just 23 FPTP seats while the UML-Maoist alliance dominated.

The party now finds itself in a precarious position. On one hand, grassroots cadres are pressuring the leadership not to form an alliance with the Maoists due to past tensions. On the other hand, should the UML and Maoists realign, NC fears a repeat of the 2017 defeat. Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba is in favor of forming an electoral alliance, while other senior leaders remain divided and inconsistent in their views. The ongoing CWC meeting has exposed a sharp internal rift over this issue.

Intra-party betrayal remains a key challenge. In 2022, several leaders backed by senior figures defied the official party line by fielding rival candidates. Now, the party is debating whether to take disciplinary action against them. Senior leader Shekhar Koirala has called for amnesty for these candidates. Meanwhile, the NC’s Disciplinary Committee, led by Ananda Dhungana, has received 21 complaints, most related to internal betrayal.

Some leaders also flagged growing public frustration with major political parties, including NC, which could significantly impact the 2027 outcome. They fear not only swing voters but also core supporters may turn to emerging political forces. However, senior leaders have dismissed this concern, arguing that traditional parties still enjoy broad support and are merely victims of a systematic smear campaign.

At the meeting, Sangraula pointed out that more than 80 percent of the public is dissatisfied with mainstream political parties, including NC. “Based on our conversations with local leaders and cadres,” she said, “the frustration we sense on the ground could prove disastrous for us in the next elections.”

Due to ongoing factional disputes, NC has long failed to hold general conventions for its sister organizations. Senior leader Shashank Koirala proposed amending the constitution to replace “secularism” with “religious freedom,” a long-standing demand of him.

He also called for a review of the mixed electoral system—FPTP and proportional representation (PR)—introduced in 2008. “This system prevents any single party from gaining a majority,” he argued, suggesting instead that all members of the House of Representatives (HoR) be elected through FPTP and the National Assembly through PR.

Senior leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula raised concerns over the judiciary, referring to the recent Supreme Court verdict on constitutional appointments made four years ago. “The Chief Justice was in the minority despite the constitution clearly stating the verdict must be delivered under the Chief Justice’s leadership,” he said. “It’s time we review how our courts function, from the district level to the Supreme Court.”

Party spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat said NC joined the coalition government with the expectation of having at least 50 percent influence. “It’s a coalition government, which makes it difficult to either stay or exit. But if we stay, our ministers must perform better than those from other parties.” Meanwhile, internal debates continue over whether the party’s general convention should be held before or after the 2027 elections.

During the ongoing Central Working Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress (NC), leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of both the party and the government.

They criticized the government and NC ministers for failing to fulfill their duties, weakening the party’s presence in the coalition. Leaders also pointed out that key commitments from the seven-point agreement between the NC and UML—signed during the government’s formation—remain unfulfilled. One major example is the lack of progress on the constitution amendment, a key pledge made by both parties.

Senior leader Shekhar Koirala demanded an explanation from party President Sher Bahadur Deuba: “Why has there been no progress on the constitution amendment?” So far, the ruling parties have taken no steps toward this goal. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has even stated that an amendment may not be possible before the 2027 elections, as the NC and UML lack the necessary numbers. Other leaders echoed these concerns, arguing that the failure to deliver on promises has damaged the credibility of both the government and the party.

Regarding governance, leaders said the government has failed to meet public expectations or align with the party’s aspirations. However, there was no clear consensus on whether the NC should seek an alternative to the current coalition. NC leader Prakash Sharan Mahat noted that while no one explicitly called for a change in the alliance, leaders urged improvements in the government’s performance.

Another key discussion centered on the party’s stance regarding electoral alliances and coalition governments. Senior leader Koirala questioned Deuba’s decision to form an electoral alliance with the Maoist Center but then align with UML to create the government. “I supported an NC-UML coalition for stability, but NC should have led the government,” he said.

There is growing pressure within the NC to rule out future electoral alliances with the Maoist Center. However, some top leaders argue that without such an alliance, the party cannot defeat the UML. It remains uncertain whether the NC will partner with the Maoists if the current government lasts until the next elections. Leaders also raised doubts about the party’s commitment to holding its general convention on time. Some suspect President Deuba may delay it until after the 2027 elections, a move that would allow him to lead the election government if the current coalition holds. Leaders demanded an immediate convention schedule.

Under the party’s statute, Deuba is ineligible to run for president a third time. It remains unclear whom he will endorse as his successor from his faction, though Koirala and Gagan Thapa have already announced their candidacies. The meeting also addressed dysfunction in the party’s sister organizations, many of which have failed to hold timely conventions. Discussions also touched on intra-party democracy and other organizational challenges.

Koirala further criticized the party’s decision to appoint a leader as a central committee member despite their active membership being less than 10 years old. He also condemned the party for sidelining loyal leaders in past elections while now taking action against them. He proposed granting amnesty to rebel candidates with a warning against repeating such actions. Additionally, he urged the party president to resolve delays in sister organizations’ conventions, where leadership tenures are being repeatedly extended without elections.

The Nepali Congress Central Working Committee meeting is scheduled to be held on April 30.

The meeting will be held at the party's central office, Sanepa.

The CWC office bearers, members and invitee members have been requested to attend the meeting, said Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel.

The agenda of the meeting is to discuss contemporary issues and latest developments.

After years of strained relations, China has recently intensified its engagement with the Nepali Congress (NC), Nepal’s oldest and largest democratic party. Over the past decade, the relationship between China and the NC had soured due to various political and diplomatic reasons. However, recent developments indicate a shift in China’s approach, as Chinese diplomats and leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) have begun actively engaging with NC leaders.

A notable example of this renewed engagement is the recent visit of an NC delegation led by senior leader Sujata Koirala to China. During the visit, the delegation toured several Chinese cities, including Chengdu, and held meetings with senior CPC officials. This marks a significant step in China’s efforts to strengthen ties with the Koirala family, a prominent political dynasty within the NC.

In early March, Sun Haiyan, Vice-Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met with Koirala. According to a Chinese readout, Sun praised the NC and the Koirala family for their long-standing commitment to fostering China-Nepal friendship and for upholding the correct stance on issues related to Xizang (Tibet) and Taiwan. Sun emphasized the CPC’s willingness to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the NC and other major political parties in Nepal, urging both sides to focus on implementing the consensus reached between the two countries.

Koirala, in response, reaffirmed the NC’s firm support for the One-China principle and expressed her party’s eagerness to leverage the 70th anniversary of Nepal-China diplomatic relations to deepen mutual understanding and collaboration. This marks a notable shift from the past, when relations between China and the NC deteriorated significantly. One key incident was in 2016, when NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba shared a stage with a representative of the Tibetan government-in-exile at an event organized by the India Foundation in Goa. This incident, among others, led to a period of mistrust and strained ties.

Other factors contributing to the rift included China’s preferential engagement with Nepal’s communist parties, often at the expense of sidelining the NC, as well as the NC’s public criticism of China’s alleged border encroachment and its cautious stance on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). During this period, Chinese state media frequently portrayed the NC as a pro-Indian party, further exacerbating tensions.

However, relations began to improve following the signing of the Framework for Belt and Road Cooperation during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to China in December 2023. NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba played pivotal roles in facilitating the agreement, despite strong opposition within their own party. Their support for the BRI marked a turning point in China-NC relations, even as senior NC leaders like Prakash Sharan Mahat and NP Saud continued to voice concerns about the initiative, arguing that it contradicted the party’s position against taking loans under the BRI.

Since the signing of the BRI agreement, there has been a noticeable increase in visits by NC leaders to China, and the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu has actively engaged with senior NC figures. This represents a departure from China’s previous approach of primarily engaging with Nepal’s communist parties, a trend that had persisted for over a decade. During this period, China focused on fostering unity among Nepal’s communist factions, leading to a perception among NC leaders that they were being marginalized.

China’s recent outreach to the NC suggests a recognition of the need to broaden its engagement beyond communist parties. This shift is seen as an effort to build a more balanced and inclusive relationship with Nepal’s political landscape. While senior communist leaders have frequently visited China over the years, NC leaders have rarely done so. The current wave of engagement indicates that both sides are working to address past misunderstandings and strengthen bilateral ties.

This renewed engagement comes at a critical juncture, as China seeks to consolidate its influence in Nepal amid evolving regional dynamics. By fostering closer ties with the NC, China aims to ensure that its initiatives, including the BRI, gain broader political support within Nepal. For the NC, this represents an opportunity to reaffirm its role as a key player in Nepal’s foreign policy and to balance its relationships with both China and India.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed gratitude for the full support he has received from coalition partner Nepali Congress (NC). Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the administrative building of Suryabinayak municipality in Bhaktapur on Monday, Oli assured that he would extend similar cooperation when NC takes over leadership.

“In 17-18 months, Sher Bahadur Deuba will become the Prime Minister. He will lead, and I will support him. The UML will give full support and ensure success,” said Oli. “At present, I am receiving complete and unconditional support from the NC, and they will get the same from us in the future.”

Oli emphasized the importance of collaboration among major political parties to ensure national development. He warned of a lack of alternatives if the coalition fails to deliver progress.

“If the major parties working together cannot lead the country toward development, then there’s no room for ‘yours’ or ‘mine’. We are committed to developing all 753 municipalities. No one can stop this progress,” he stated.

Oli also responded to recent remarks from Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Center), who had claimed during a public address in Dang that a victory similar to the 2008 elections would uproot corruption in the country.

Without directly naming Dahal, Oli criticized past electoral practices, stating, “That era is gone. Back then, there were camps, fear and intimidation. People were told their votes could be tracked through binoculars and adjusted later. Even the government and administration were rendered powerless due to such threats.”

Oli accused the Maoists of controlling polling stations during the 2008 elections, influencing voters and undermining administrative authority. “They would stand near the ballot box and say, ‘I will mark it for you’. But that time has passed,” he added.

The Prime Minister, who had been resting due to health issues, also addressed concerns regarding his health. He criticized the portrayal of his illness, saying, “Even when I have a common cold, they show pictures of me in ICU with an oxygen mask.”

Oli assured the public that while he remains weak due to antibiotics, his health is improving. “Yes, I’ve been sick. I’m still recovering, but those expecting me to end up in ICU will be disappointed,” he remarked. This statement follows his virtual participation in recent events, including the Siddhababa Tunnel breakthrough ceremony, due to his doctors advising against long-distance travel.

Nepali Congress central member and Chief at the Education Department Nain Singh Mahar has said that the party should earn the trust of the general public after winning the by-election.  

Speaking a program organized by the Congress District Working Committee, Ilam, as part of the party's 100-day special campaign, Mahar said that the by-election to be held on December 1, two years after the general election, is a mini-election and the Congress has no option but to win the election to prove itself capable.

“The December 1 by-election is a mini-election. The by-election is being held exactly two years after the general election. Congress is the largest party of the Parliament. It is necessary for the Congress to earn the trust of the general public to maintain its position. The party should be united for the same. We should not make mistakes. Victory will be ours if we do not make mistakes,” he said.

He said that the by-election is being held in the midst of a 100-day campaign which was started with the aim to resolve internal conflicts and to create a conducive environment to contest the elections alone by becoming powerful.

He said that the results of the by-election will prove how effective the 100-day campaign was.

“Political parties other than Congress always enjoyed instability. We spent most of the time maintaining stability,” he said, adding, “There is no alternative for Congress to win the election. Congress, which has played a major role in maintaining political stability, should focus on fulfilling the aspirations of the people and to take the country towards the path of development and prosperity.”

Mahar was of the opinion that the party would be powerful only if it listens to the complaints of the people.

He said that the government should also be serious about fulfilling its commitments.

“A seven-point agreement was signed when Congress and UML formed an alliance. Works should be done in accordance with the agreement. The effect of the agreement forged while forming an alliance should not be on the party,” he further said.

He went on to say that the government should be serious about constitutional amendment and other issues.

“In the meantime, Nepal got an opportunity to play in the U19 World Cup, started selling 40 MW electricity to Bangladesh and started exporting Ilam tea for the first time to China. These are the good aspects for the development of the country. The government should also do things in favor of people,” he said.

Mahar said that the government should also be serious in developing the potential of Ilam.

For a long time, Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma have been pressuring the party leadership to take a clear stance against forming any pre-election alliances, like the one with the Maoists in the 2022 elections.

Thapa and Sharma are essentially trying to address concerns among grassroots cadres who are reluctant to support the Maoist party due to lingering animosities from the insurgency era. During the 10-year insurgency, Maoist cadres targeted NC members, killing many, seizing their properties, and expelling them from their homes.

As a result, many NC cadres at the local level are unwilling to vote for the Maoists, preferring instead to support a royalist party like the Rastriya Prajatantra Party. This resistance contributed to the poor conversion of NC votes into support for Maoist candidates, not only in parliamentary elections but also in the National Assembly elections. With Friday’s decision by the NC, it seems Thapa and Sharma have partially succeeded in advancing their position, although the decision does not explicitly rule out future electoral alliances.

“We will re-establish the Nepali Congress as a party capable of securing a majority on its own by further energizing our organization and increasing public trust and support,” reads the party’s decision. However, it does not prevent the party leadership from making last-minute decisions regarding electoral alliances. Although Thapa and Sharma believe the party can emerge as the largest without an alliance, the party’s organizational strength has significantly weakened in recent years due to inaction.

The NC is plagued by faction feuds from the central to grassroots levels, and little effort has been made to revitalize the party organization. The party’s main competitor, CPN-UML, is known for its robust organizational strength and has been launching a series of organizational campaigns even after the 2022 elections. Despite the alliance between the NC and the Maoists in 2022, the UML managed to secure an equal number of popular votes as the NC. It will be challenging for the NC to compete with the UML in many constituencies, especially as some NC cadres and leaders are gradually shifting to new parties. 

A senior NC leader commented, “We are in a difficult situation because grassroots sentiment is against the alliance, but our organization is weak, and we cannot rule out the possibility of all communist parties uniting.” This is why NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba appears hesitant to make a decisive move, leading the party’s Central Committee meeting to adopt a somewhat ambiguous decision.

The party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) approved a proposal that Thapa had presented during the meeting of the Mahasamiti, the party’s highest policy-decision making body, in February. However, the Mahasamiti was unable to decide on the proposal at the time due to opposition from Deuba. The Mahasamiti then decided to discuss the proposal in the central working committee meeting.

Deuba had instructed Thapa to revise the proposal, arguing that forming alliances is a strategic decision made before the election and not something to be publicly declared. However, Thapa refused to revise the proposal.

Political analysts suggest that Thapa’s proposal was one of the factors that led CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal to break alliance with the NC and form a new coalition with the UML in March. However, Dahal’s new coalition was short-lived, as the NC and UML announced a new coalition on July 1.

While the CWC meeting was ongoing, Deuba held a separate meeting with Vice Presidents Purna Bahadur Khadka and Dhanraj Gurung; General Secretaries Thapa and Sharma; and CWC member Ramesh Lekhak to forge a consensus on three proposals submitted by Khadka, Thapa, and Sharma. These meetings, held on Tuesday and Thursday, reached a consensus, and a framework was laid out for decisions that were eventually adopted by the CWC.

Although the party approved the proposals submitted by Khadka and Thapa, it did not pass Sharma’s proposal related to term limits. Sharma had proposed limiting leaders to one term as President, two terms as Prime Minister, three terms as Minister, and four terms as a Member of Parliament. For provinces, Sharma proposed that a leader could not serve more than two terms as Chief Minister, three terms as Minister, and four terms as a Provincial Assembly Member.

Leaders close to Deuba opposed this proposal, arguing that it was designed to prevent Deuba from becoming Prime Minister again. “I won’t rule myself out of the premiership just because you suggest it. I am not ready to give up the position yet,” Deuba reportedly said during the meeting.

The meeting decided that necessary decisions regarding term limits for various positions would be made during the constitutional amendment process. Although the meeting agreed to hold the upcoming general convention within the stipulated time frame, it did not set a specific date.

The Central Working Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress has been postponed until next week to allow time for addressing several contentious issues within the party. While there is broad consensus regarding the formation of a new coalition with the CPN-UML, a range of internal disputes continues to polarize the party’s rival factions.

For an extended period, a power struggle has persisted among the factions led by Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba, senior leader Shekhar Koirala, and General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa. With Deuba ineligible to seek another term as party president, both Thapa and Koirala are vying for the leadership role. Simultaneously, both leaders are intent on preventing Deuba from assuming the prime ministership again, fearing he may leverage state power to influence the party convention in favor of his preferred successor.

Diverging opinions on the potential electoral alliance further complicate matters within the party. General Secretaries Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma advocate for a clear policy stipulating that the party should not engage in any pre-poll alliances. However, as the largest party, the NC faces significant challenges in contesting elections alone, particularly if the communist parties remain united. Consequently, Party President Deuba opposes making this stance an official party position.

Thapa’s political document was an instrumental factor in the collapse of the NC-Maoist coalition in March when former prime minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal aligned with the UML after the NC signaled its reluctance to form a pre-poll alliance. This maneuver left Dahal isolated, having lost the support of both the NC and UML. Reports suggest that the NC and UML have agreed not to pursue an electoral alliance with the Maoists, though this information remains unverified. The NC's experience in 2017, when it suffered a humiliating defeat after the UML and Maoists joined forces, led to a subsequent alliance with the Maoists that preserved its position as the largest political party. However, there is growing dissatisfaction within the party ranks, who argue that such alliances erode the party’s base, with many members unwilling to support the Maoists.

Deuba maintains that the party should not entirely close the door on potential alliances with other parties. This issue was prominently discussed during the party’s Mahasamiti meeting in February, yet no consensus was reached. Another contentious issue within the NC is Sharma’s proposed exit policy, which includes term limits for the president (one term), prime minister (two terms), ministers (three terms), and lawmakers (four terms). This proposal has met with strong opposition within the party, particularly from senior leaders who view it as a direct challenge to their influence.

Foreign Minister and Central Working Committee member Arzu Rana Deuba has publicly opposed the proposed term limits for the prime minister, arguing that such restrictions would be detrimental to the party's leadership structure. Within the NC, there are calls for the government to justify its alliance with the UML through its performance, with some CWC members advocating for the continuation of investigations into corruption scandals by the new government.

Another significant issue dividing the party is the upcoming general convention. Senior leader Shekhar Koirala has urged the party leadership to restore order within the party and ensure that the general convention proceeds as scheduled in Dec 2025. Speaking at a meeting, Koirala pressed President Deuba to commit to the scheduled convention and advocated for constitutional amendments to strengthen democracy and federalism. He also proposed reforms to the party structure, including amendments to the party statute to empower provincial committees, with the central leadership providing regulation while provinces implement programs. Koirala warned against postponing the general convention, cautioning that such a move could lead to dire consequences for both the NC and the broader democratic process.

Koirala expressed deep concern over the current political instability in South Asia, warning that Nepal could become a battleground for international political interests. Citing recent developments in Bangladesh, Koirala emphasized the need for a strong ethical foundation in politics to prevent similar instability in Nepal. He highlighted the growing public disillusionment with political leaders and institutions, urging the party to take these sentiments seriously.

“I have long advocated for a government formed by the two largest parties to end the protracted political instability in the country. The primary task of the current coalition government should be to initiate the process of constitutional amendment,” Koirala said. He stressed that these amendments must genuinely reflect the will of the Nepali people, ensuring that the constitution is a truly representative document. However, Koirala criticized the current government’s formation, particularly in terms of ministerial appointments at both the federal and provincial levels. “It is perplexing why parties consistently fail to prioritize good governance despite their promises,” he remarked.

Koirala also pointed out that, eight years after the promulgation of the Constitution, provinces have yet to fully exercise their constitutional rights. He called for immediate measures to strengthen fiscal and administrative federalism, urging the two major parties to use their collective strength in government to empower the provinces effectively. “If Nepali Congress ministers in the current government fail to earn public trust and confidence, the party risks facing an unforeseen decline,” he warned. 

Koirala also called for a renewal of the party’s values and principles, better governance from those in power, and unity among party members. He expressed concern about the rising tide of populism in politics, noting that even the Nepali Congress has not been immune to this trend. Koirala cautioned against allowing social media and populist tendencies to dictate the party’s direction, urging members and leaders to return to the party’s core principles and ideologies.

Two-thirds of the House of Representatives members now support the agreement between the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML to form a national unity government, though the specifics of the agreement remain undisclosed. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s major coalition partners, the CPN-UML and other smaller parties, have withdrawn their support, leaving his government in the minority.

This situation puts pressure on Dahal to resign, which is being pushed by his own party and other political factions. However, Dahal has decided to seek a vote of confidence on July 12. According to cross-party leaders, Dahal is offering the premiership to NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba to disrupt the NC-UML agreement. He has indicated that the Maoists are willing to support Deuba for a full term until the next elections in 2027. This offer was made the day after Deuba and UML leader Oli signed their agreement, but Deuba dismissed it.

Despite Deuba’s rejection, Dahal continues to reach out to NC leaders. Two days ago, he invited senior NC leader Shekhar Koirala to his residence for discussions. Koirala attended the meeting with the consent of Deuba. Sources say Koirala told Dahal that reversing the current situation is almost impossible. Even senior leaders within Dahal’s own CPN (Maoist Center) are advising him to resign, but Dahal insists there is still room for political maneuvering. After the NC-UML agreement, the Rastriya Swatantra Party decided to leave the government, but Dahal asked them to stay until the confidence vote.

There is some dissatisfaction within NC and UML ranks regarding the opaque agreement between Oli and Deuba, but no leader has openly criticized it. Both parties have unanimously endorsed the agreement. NC leaders believe Dahal’s efforts to form an alliance with UML are unlikely to succeed, despite his attempts. Some ambiguous provisions in the agreement might be exploited to prevent Oli from becoming prime minister, but it is almost certain that Oli will ascend to the position under Article 76(2) of the Constitution, which mandates a coalition government since no single party has a majority under Article 76(1).

Dahal and his allied constitutional experts argue that if Dahal’s government, formed under Article 76(2), fails to secure a vote of confidence, the President should initiate government formation under Article 76(3). This would mean appointing the parliamentary party leader of the largest party, likely Deuba. Neutral constitutional experts, however, assert that the government formation process should start under Article 76(2) again after July 12. If the government is formed under either Article 76(2) or 76(3), it is likely to face legal challenges, much like the 2021 Supreme Court verdict on Oli's dissolution of the House before its term ended. The verdict emphasized that all provisions of Article 76 should be tested to form a government.

The unexpected agreement between NC and UML has left Dahal, who had maintained power by striking a balance between NC and UML, in shock. He was confident that the rival NC and UML would not join forces. Additionally, Maoist leaders believed external forces would prevent Oli from coming to power. Dahal had been frequently changing coalition partners and was recently preparing to align with NC leaders again in the guise of forming a national unity government.

NC and UML were growing weary of Dahal's tactics, and there had been long-standing support within both parties for a coalition. The deteriorating economic conditions, frequent government changes, growing communal tensions and problematic constitutional provisions compelled the first and second largest parties to unite to address the country's challenges. The rise of new political parties also gave impetus to this unconventional alliance.

In this context, Dahal’s attempts to reverse the situation are unlikely to succeed. NC leaders state that Deuba is not willing to accept Dahal’s offer of the premiership. After nearly a decade, NC and UML are joining forces again, reminiscent of their successful collaboration in 2014 to deliver the Constitution in 2015. Now, they aim to form a strong government to resolve the current problems facing the country.

Dear readers,

This week, the political landscape was dominated by a crucial agreement between the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML. These two parties have pledged to ensure much-needed political stability and to amend the 2015 Constitution to address certain “flawed provisions.” We covered this agreement from multiple angles, including a long-form article titled “The Story Behind the Formation of a New Coalition,” which explains how and why the two parties came together. We appreciate our readers’ enthusiastic response to this story. Additionally, we published a commentary titled “Can the NC-UML Alliance Bring Stability?” which questions the longevity of the to be formed government, given the parties’ past difficulties in working together.

The full text of the agreement signed by NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli has not yet been made public. With the UML pulling out its support, the Pushpa Kamal Dahal government has been relegated to the minority, but he is refusing to step down. Dahal may use constitutional provisions that allow him to face parliament within 30 days. 

Meanwhile, there are widespread concerns about the contents of the proposed constitutional amendments by NC and UML, particularly among Madhes-based parties and other groups advocating for identity politics. There are also questions about which external forces may be influencing these political developments. Speculations abound, but no definitive answers are available. Rumors suggest that Dahal’s refusal to resign might be influenced by external advice, allowing time for preparations to continue the current coalition with Deuba as prime minister. Attempts to find clues in Indian and Chinese media were inconclusive.

The agreement between Deuba and Oli has been endorsed by both parties, but it has caused some dissatisfaction as well. NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa was initially opposed but has since accepted the agreement. Similarly, there are reservations within UML, but both Deuba and Oli have a strong grip on their parties, making significant disruptions unlikely.

In another development, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which emerged from the 2022 national election, is facing an internal crisis. Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and General Secretary Mukul Dhakal are at odds, with Lamichhane expelling Dhakal for allegedly violating party discipline. Dhakal’s symbolic protest at a party meeting, where he taped his mouth to give a message that there is no freedom of expression in the party, highlights the issue of intra-party democracy, a common issue in all political parties of Nepal.

Now onto some positives. Despite these political challenges, there has been progress in concluding the transitional justice process. The NC, UML, and the Maoist Center have formed a cross-party mechanism to address remaining contentious issues of the constitution. This team consisting of Ramedh Lekhak from NC, Mahesh Bartaula from UML, and Janardhan Sharma from the Maoist party has already started its work. The transitional justice process, initiated on the basis of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, 2006, remains incomplete, but there are plans to endorse an amendment bill in the ongoing Parliament. However, new political developments could delay this process further.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continued to draw attention this week. Congress leaders reiterated their position against taking loans under the BRI, which does not offer grant provisions. Additionally, Parliament has formed panels to investigate alleged corruption in the construction of Pokhara and Bhairahawa International Airports. Meanwhile, the Nepal government has published a concept note on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and needs to accelerate efforts to regulate AI, a topic that still lacks widespread understanding in Nepal.

This week, the infamous fake Bhutanese refugee scandal once again made national headlines with the arrest of Bechain Jha and Pratik Thapa, the son of former home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa. This marks a significant step in the investigation involving former ministers, their relatives and senior government officials. Cooperative scandals also made headlines this week, with police arresting many cooperative owners based on public complaints. A probe panel has been set up to investigate these cases. Home Minister Lamichhane has assured to investigate all past high-profile corruption cases. But the latest political alliance between NC and UML means Lamichhane’s days as home minister are numbered.

This week, CPN (Unified Socialist) led by former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal held its generation convention. The convention unanimously elected Nepal as party chairman and Ghana Shyam Bhushal as general secretary. The same set of leaders have returned as party office-bearers. Bhushal’s attempt to displace Nepal has turned futile. The NC-UML agreement at the center has started to impact the provincial government. For instance, UML has withdrawn the support to the Sudurpaschim government. 

I will be back with more updates next week. Wishing you all a happy weekend!

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 main opposition Nepali Congress has maintained its position that an investigation should be conducted against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, who is accused of embezzling cooperative funds.

After a Parliamentary Party meeting of the Congress held this morning, Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak said that they would not allow the House to proceed with its business until a parliamentary committee is formed.

He said that what Lamichhane said in the Parliament was untrue, fabricated and misleading.

The Congress claimed that the Home Minister tried to run away from the allegations leveled against him in the cooperative scam.

“Lamichhane’s remarks are misleading. He tried to run away by blaming others,” he said.

It is clear that Lamichhane had misused the cooperative funds, Lekhak claimed.

The NC has long been obstructing the parliamentary proceedings, alleging the involvement of Deputy Prime Minister Lamichhane in the fraud and demanding the formation of a parliamentary committee to ensure a fair investigation into the case whereas the CPN-UML and RSP in particular have made it clear in no uncertain terms that an individual-centric probe is simply unacceptable.

The main opposition Nepali Congress has decided to continue the House obstruction.

A meeting of the senior leaders of the party held in Singha Durbar decided to continue the obstruction until a parliamentary probe committee is formed to investigate fraud charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

Congress spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat accused the ruling coalition of trying to get away by saying that it would only investigate the issue of cooperatives apart from Lamichhane.

“The issue of cooperatives should be investigated. But Rabi ji is also embroiled in the case of embezzling the funds of the cooperative. Police have not taken that case ahead. That is why we demanded the formation of a parliamentary probe committee,” he said.

Leader Mahat further said that the issue of Lamichhane should also be included while forming the parliamentary committee.

“No consensus has been forged to resume the Parliament yet. The issue of Home Minister Lamichhane should also be included in the cooperative embezzlement case. The ruling coalition is not ready for that,” he said.