Former Chief Ministers of Karnali Province Meet Amidst Coalition Tensions

Surkhet. A meeting took place between two former Chief Ministers of Karnali Province, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi and Jeevan Bahadur Shahi. The meeting, held Wednesday morning in Birendranagar, is being viewed as significant.

Mahendra Bahadur Shahi won the House of Representatives election from Kalikot representing the CPN (UML). On that occasion, Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, the leader of the Nepali Congress Karnali Province Parliamentary Party, congratulated him.

Although the meeting was ostensibly for congratulations, sources told Ratopati that discussions were held regarding a change in leadership of the provincial government and the issue of the coalition.

Currently, Yamalal Kandel, the leader of the CPN (UML) parliamentary party, is the Chief Minister in Karnali with the support of the Nepali Congress. However, since the formation of the coalition government between the Congress and UML, the two parties have not been on good terms ('chemistry' mismatch). Congress Parliamentary Party leader Shahi had repeatedly threatened to leave the government previously.

Chief Minister Kandel was also frustrated by the Congress continuously creating complications in governance, but there is talk that the problems between the two coalition parties have subsided following the recent 'Jyanji' movement. Nevertheless, widespread questions have been raised within the Congress parliamentary party regarding negative remarks made by Chief Minister Kandel about the Congress during the House of Representatives election period.

In this situation, sources indicate that the meeting between the top leaders of the two parties discussed the coalition and the issue of government leadership. Currently, the CPN (Maoist Centre) is the main opposition party in Karnali.

Mahendra Bahadur Shahi is considered a parliamentary player in Karnali politics, and he is currently the top leader of the CPN (Maoist Centre) in Karnali. In a previous instance, when Yamalal Kandel brought an no-confidence motion causing a crisis for Mahendra Bahadur Shahi's government, Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, the leader of the then-opposition Congress parliamentary party, provided support. Because of this, the government led by Mahendra Bahadur Shahi survived. The two Shahis have historically had good 'chemistry'.

The source stated: Under the current coalition arrangement, it is Jeevan Bahadur Shahi's turn to become Chief Minister. CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli, who became Prime Minister with the support of the Congress at the center, was ousted due to the 'Jyanji' rebellion. The rationale for that coalition has ended, yet Kandel of the UML remains Chief Minister in the province based on that old arrangement. According to the agreement made at the center, Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba was supposed to become Prime Minister. However, Nepal's politics has seen many ups and downs.

Based on that central agreement, Nepali Congress Karnali Province Parliamentary Party leader Jeevan Bahadur Shahi is expected to become Chief Minister within this month.

However, there is no such agreement or understanding in the province. If Yamalal Kandel does not relinquish leadership of the government, discussions were held between the two former Chief Ministers about considering an alternative approach, according to the source.

'Discussions were held on what to do and how to proceed regarding the government and the coalition,' the source told Ratopati, 'Mahendra Ji told Jeevan Ji, 'It's your turn to become Chief Minister, so become the Chief Minister.'

Under the current coalition, the time has come for Yamalal to hand over power to Jeevan Bahadur Shahi.

'If Yamalal does not step down, the idea that Jeevan will support him for the entire term is not relevant,' the source added, quoting the discussion, 'Jeevan Ji came down to the province specifically to become Chief Minister; otherwise, he would have gone to the federal level.'

At that time, the Congress-Maoist alliance had also gone to the elections with the understanding that Jeevan would be made Chief Minister. But later the coalition changed, and Congress had to sit in the opposition.

In the current situation, Mahendra spoke in a manner suggesting, 'If the UML does not support Jeevan, the CPN (Maoist Centre) is there,' according to reports.

It is reported that this very issue was discussed. Sources indicate that discussions were held about advancing a coalition between the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the Congress if the 'chemistry' between the UML and Congress remains mismatched. Mahendra Bahadur Shahi reportedly asked Jeevan Bahadur Shahi to consider this matter.

'This is something Jeevan Ji needs to think about; nothing will happen unless he moves forward,' a source close to the CPN (Maoist Centre) stated.