Rumors of Unofficial Electoral Alliance Emerge Among Major Nepali Parties Amidst Rising Competition

Kathmandu. Discussions are underway regarding an 'unannounced' electoral alliance among major political parties that had declared their intention to contest elections independently. It is reported that top leaders of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Centre) are attempting to form an unannounced electoral understanding out of insecurity due to the growing nationwide momentum of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

However, second-tier leaders from the major parties claim that no discussions or talks regarding any form of electoral alliance among the three parties have taken place, nor is there any possibility of it happening.

Further discussion and interest have been sparked after CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' recently stated in an online interview that 'talks are ongoing with UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and collaboration is not impossible.'

Top leaders from the major parties are contesting elections from specific constituencies: UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli from Jhapa-5, Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa from Sarlahi-4, and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' from Eastern Rukum.

Oli is being challenged in Jhapa-5 by RSP senior leader and former Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Balen Shah (Balen). In Sarlahi, Congress President Thapa is being challenged by RSP candidate Dr. Amresh Singh. Similarly, Prachanda is being challenged by Sandeep Pun, the son of a martyr from the People's War.

Oli, who has consistently won from Jhapa-5, Thapa, who has consistently won from Kathmandu-4, and Prachanda, who has won elections despite changing constituencies, are all strategizing to win this time to continue their journey to Parliament and Singha Durbar.

Congress's Thapa, elected from Kathmandu-4 in the 2079 parliamentary elections, took a significant risk by filing his candidacy from Sarlahi-4 in the election on Falgun 21.

Political analysis suggests that Gagan's challenge has increased because Amresh Kumar Singh, who won the Sarlahi-4 seat as an independent candidate in the 2079 elections, is contesting this election on behalf of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

Historically, UML Chairman Oli has been a leader who has won from Jhapa-5 by forming unannounced alliances with parties like the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and others.

Based on this, there is speculation about an underlying strategy where Congress might support Oli in Jhapa-5, UML might support Congress in Sarlahi-4, and Congress-UML might support Prachanda in Rukum to secure victory.

Second-tier leaders from all three parties assert that there is no truth to such speculation and that no discussions or talks have taken place regarding it. Nepali Congress Vice President Pushpa Bhusal states that there has been no discussion whatsoever about an electoral alliance among the three parties or their leaders.

"As of now, there has been no discussion or talk with any party about that. There is no plan or preparation to talk," Bhusal told Ratopati. "We will not form an alliance. Because the party has fielded candidates in all 165 constituencies," she added.

Bhusal stated that Congress's strategy is focused on ensuring their candidates win based on their own strength. "We are not concerned with anything other than getting our candidates elected on their own merit. We will not pay attention to other matters either," she said.

Congress President Gagan Thapa, who assumed leadership after a special general convention following the Janajagaran movement, has also been opposing electoral alliances.

CPN-UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet also states that there has been no discussion with Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre) regarding an electoral alliance. Basnet, considered a confidant of Chairman Oli, said, "There have been no meetings or discussions among the leaders for an electoral alliance. I do not see the possibility of an electoral coalition now."

Basnet hinted that discussions have taken place among the leaders regarding the restoration of Parliament. "The election date has been set. The case is still sub-judice in court. Looking at the recent developments, the court seems hesitant to decide on the case," Basnet told Ratopati. "The court should either say the dissolution was right, or it should say it was wrong."

Basnet commented that it appears the Chief Justice and judges are taking leave out of fear of having to rule on the case. "This makes the judiciary look like it is burning rather than dispensing justice," Basnet remarked.

The then-MPs of CPN-UML and Congress had approached the court demanding the restoration of Parliament.

On the other hand, leaders from UML, Congress, and CPN (Maoist Centre) have been raising questions about the impartiality of the election on Falgun 21. "We are seeing developments where the government is playing a role to favor certain parties and mobilizing the Election Commission in the same manner," Basnet said. "This concern is natural among those who stand for the constitution and democratic system. There is not much difference in opinion among the three parties that the issue of Parliament restoration must be decided immediately and that proceedings must follow the constitution and law."

CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Dr. Beduram Bhusal also states that the reports circulating about unannounced discussions for an electoral alliance among the top leaders of the major parties are untrue.

"There has been no conversation or discussion among the leaders about that. Even if there were, that possibility seems unlikely now, it's difficult," Bhusal said. He admitted that discussions have occurred among leaders from different parties regarding the restoration of Parliament.

He told Ratopati, "Discussions and conversations have taken place on other issues. The stance of UML and the Deuba faction of Congress is to go for Parliament restoration. We do not agree with that. We have said that we cannot go that way now."