Amidst the swirling winds of political change, Nepal's most consequential parties, the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, have struck a significant accord. They have pledged to dethrone the current government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' in a bold move to form a 'National Common Consensus Government' following a midnight power-sharing agreement.
According to Former Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud, Sher Bahadur Deuba, president of the Nepali Congress, and Comrade KP Sharma Oli, chairman of the CPN-UML and former prime minister, have consented to this exciting new coalition as the clock struck twelve on Monday.
Consensus On Rotating Prime Ministership Agreed
Saud, a central member of the Nepali Congress, shared that the 78-year-old Deuba and 72-year-old Oli agreed to take turns at the prime minister's helm for the remaining parliamentary term.
The Nepali Congress holds 89 seats in the House of Representatives (HoR) at present, with CPN-UML commanding 78. United, their strength, a formidable alliance of 167, comfortably surpasses the majority threshold of 138 in the 275-member HoR.
Saturday's meeting between the two leaders laid the groundwork for this potential new political camaraderie between the parties, subsequently concluding with CPN-UML severing ties with Prachanda’s government, a mere four months after pledging it support.
In anticipation of Tuesday's potential agreement, Oli is set to lead the government during the first phase of the remaining parliamentary term. Saud reports both leaders have agreed to share the prime ministerial post for a year and a half each.
Media reports suggest these two statesmen have come to terms regarding forming a new government, introducing constitutional amendments, and sharing the mantle of power. Allegedly, this accord has been shared with a select few confidants within their parties.
MyRepublica reported that according to the agreement, CPN-UML under Oli will control ministries including the Prime Minister's Office and the Finance Ministry during his tenure. Likewise, the Nepali Congress will oversee ten ministries including the Home Ministry. The provinces of Koshi, Lumbini, and Karnali will see CPN-UML leadership, whereas Bagmati, Gandaki, and Sudurpaschim will be led by the Nepali Congress.
Oli and Deuba have also agreed to include parties from the Madhesh province in the leadership and have expressed their commitment to constitutional amendments. A four-member task force has prepared a draft agreement as per reports by The Kathmandu Post.
In the last 16 years, Nepal has seen a rotation of 13 governments, reflecting the country's fragile political stability. Sources close to CPN-UML divulge that their ministers in Prachanda's cabinet might collectively resign by afternoon.
Amid these developments, Prime Minister 'Prachanda' has decided against resignation, opting instead to face a vote of confidence in Parliament, despite the new coalition agreement.
