NC-CPN (UML) likely to form next Nepal govt

Amid Maoists demonstration in various parts of the Himalayan nation after the Prachanda-led Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) failed to come to an agreement with other political parties in forming a government, the Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav has ordered the Parliament to make effort for the formation of a majority government.

With this, any possible coalition of political parties will have to show a majority in the House, which means the proposed coalition needs 301 seats in the 601-seat Constituent Assembly to form a majority government.

According to the Article 38 (2) of the interim Constitution, if all attempts to form a government of “national consensus” fail then a call should be made to form a majority government. Earlier, the President had set the Saturday deadline following the Article 38 (1) which talks of forming a new council of ministers under consensus.

On Saturday, Maoists made it clear not to form a government until President Yadav takes back his decision to reinstate the Army chief General Rookmangud Katwal; they termed the president’s act as “unconstitutional”.

It is to mention here that Prachanda’s decision of removing the army chief was not only taken as out of jurisdiction by the President but also by other parties in the government, including the CPN (UML), who later withdrew its support on the same issue.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN (UML) have decided on a joint effort to form an UML-led coalition government with support of other like-minded parties, including the Madheshi Janadhakir Forum (MJF).

According to a report published by the nepalnews.com, the NC and CPN (UML) are going to hold an all-party meeting on Tuesday. Nepali Congress leaders are also agreed to back UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal as the Prime Minister of the would-be government.

Both parties have also asked the Maoists not to obstruct the House as the President has directed to form a majority government. The Maoists leader and former prime minister Prachanda has also said in a statement that his party would like to seat in opposition if President Ram Baran Yadav’s instruction reinstating Gen. Katawal was not withdrawn.