CPN Emerges as Largest Party in Sudurpashchim Province Amid Political Tensions

Dhangadhi. The Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) has become the largest party in the Sudurpashchim Provincial Assembly. The CPN, formed through the merger of various parties, has 22 lawmakers in the 53-member provincial assembly.

The province is currently governed by a Nepali Congress-led government. Debates have begun on whether the government, which is part of the alliance between the Congress and UML, will remain in power or if an alternative will be sought.

According to the latest political alignment, the CPN has a total of 22 lawmakers, including 11 from the CPN (Maoist Centre) with the Speaker, 7 from the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NaUPA), and 4 from the CPN (Unified Socialist). The agreement reached on Poush 14 with the NaUPA led by Ranjita Shrestha has further strengthened this bloc. However, due to the suspension of the Unified Socialist's parliamentary party leader, Dirgha Sodari, the CPN currently has 21 lawmakers.

This number is the highest compared to other parties in the provincial assembly. The Nepali Congress, which currently leads the government, holds 18 seats, while the ruling alliance partner CPN (UML) has only 11 seats. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and an independent member each hold one seat.

The one provincial assembly seat became vacant after Dr. Tara Prasad Joshi, who was initially elected as an independent, joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and was elected to the House of Representatives.

Having become the largest party in the province, the CPN has increased its activity. Khagendra Bhatta, the CPN's parliamentary party leader, recently submitted a letter of attention to the Chief Minister, giving an ultimatum to convene the winter session of the Provincial Assembly within seven days. The CPN appears displeased, citing the government's failure to address public concerns, rising corruption, and bypassing the assembly.

According to Khagendra Bhatta, the government has halted development works, and the budget implementation status is very weak. "We have given a seven-day deadline. If the government does not call a regular session, we will demand a special session," Bhatta warned.

He also put forward a demand to form a parliamentary committee to investigate the corruption allegations leveled against the Chief Minister.

The CPN has accused the Chief Minister of serious corruption allegations and claimed the government is solely focused on appointments to favor its cadres. The CPN concludes that the stagnation of lawmaking and the failure to advance bills registered in the Provincial Assembly raise questions about the government's intentions.

"The public is extremely angry with the current government. The Chief Minister must facilitate the investigation, or we will be forced to take strict action," Bhatta stated.

On this matter, Provincial Assembly member Om Bikram Bhat expressed welcome for the unity among the communist parties and stated that the path forward should be one of 'introspection.' According to Bhat, the election results showed a weakening of the communist movement. Therefore, he clarified that winning the trust of the people, rather than engaging in power games, is the current priority.

"Changes in government are a normal process in politics; our priority right now is not just changing the government," Bhat said. "We want the government to be accountable to the people, control corruption, and advance development works."

He acknowledged the increased public grievances due to the division among communist parties and emphasized the need to move forward with a new approach.

If Khagendra Bhatta's statements as the CPN parliamentary party leader are to be believed, an attempt to change the government has begun in Sudurpashchim. "If the current government's working style does not improve, we may even move towards a no-confidence motion," he said.

According to Bhatta, although the current government appears technically stable, it has already collapsed in the eyes of the public.

However, Om Bikram Bhat appears more restrained regarding an immediate collapse of the government. "Currently, the UML-Congress alliance has a majority. Therefore, our policy is to exert pressure through the assembly rather than rushing into the game of toppling the government." Nevertheless, he clarified that anything can happen in politics tomorrow.