Nepali Congress Assigns Deputy President Sharma Oversight of Provincial and Local Governments Amid Internal Review

Biratnagar. The Nepali Congress's central committee meeting held on Wednesday decided to assign Deputy President Bishwaprakash Sharma the responsibility of overseeing provincial and local governments. According to Congress leaders, Sharma has also been tasked with conducting necessary studies, consultations, and proposals regarding the continuity or discontinuation of the party's presence in the provincial government.

'The responsibility for reviewing the performance, coordination, and further effectiveness of the party's representation in the Provincial Parliamentary Party, the Provincial Government, and local levels, as well as the necessary coordination, is granted to Deputy President Bishwaprakash Sharma,' states the decision made by the Congress meeting.

Previously, in the Congress central committee meeting held last Friday, the party concluded that the main reason for the defeat suffered in the elections was the 'alliance culture' practiced in the past. 'The alliance formed to save the parliament was later used to win elections, which created extreme dissatisfaction among the party's honest cadres and the general public,' stated the review presented by Deputy President Sharma.

The Congress also considers the alliance with the CPN-UML as a major factor in the defeat on Falgun 21. 'The Congress-UML coalition government was not the product of our mature analysis and foresight; it was an opaque agreement made overnight without consultation even at the General Secretary level,' the proposal presented at the Congress meeting mentioned. 'One of the two main parties in the parliament should have taken on the role of the opposition by constructively representing the public dissatisfaction.'

Discussing that very proposal, the Congress decided, 'The outcome contrary to public expectations in the performance of the coalition government became the reason for the defeat.'

Following this conclusion by the Congress central committee, rumors have started circulating that the Koshi Provincial Government might also change. 'Since the central committee stated that the alliance caused problems, the alliance here has also become a problem,' said a Congress provincial lawmaker. 'Discussions have started on this matter. There is ongoing conversation about how long to support the UML-led government.'

According to the power-sharing agreement between the Congress and the UML, the government led by Karki could change in Bhadra. However, Congress leaders say that if the CPN (Maoist Centre) agrees, the government could be changed before the next fiscal year's budget is even presented.

Binod Bantawa Rai, the chairman of Bhojpur and also a provincial lawmaker for the Congress, stated that he does not feel the presence of a provincial government. 'Is there a government in the province? We certainly don't feel that way,' he said.

The growing dissatisfaction within the Congress has led its leaders to discuss how long they should support the government led by UML leader Hikmat Kumar Karki.

According to the power-sharing agreement between the Congress and the UML, the government led by Karki could change in Bhadra. However, Congress leaders say that if the CPN (Maoist Centre) agrees, the government could be changed before the next fiscal year's budget is even presented.

'The government will change the day the CPN (Maoist Centre) wishes to break this alliance and form a new government,' said a Congress leader. 'But nothing will happen unless the CPN (Maoist Centre) wants it.'

If the Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre) form a government excluding the UML, they will require the support of the JSP or RPP. Securing at least 47 lawmakers for a majority will be challenging for them.

Internal Affairs and Law Minister Indra Mani Parajuli, who is also the spokesperson for the Koshi Provincial Government, claims that talk of a government change is merely a rumor. 'The power-sharing agreement is still in place. Why would the Congress be in a hurry now?' he asked.

Indra Bahadur Angbo, the leader of the CPN (Maoist Centre) parliamentary party, confirmed that discussions about changing the government have started in the Congress. 'I have heard that discussions are underway in the Congress to change the Chief Minister. But, a clear alternative has not emerged. The CPN (Maoist Centre) is not in a hurry to join a government under anyone's leadership right now,' Angbo stated.

Difficult Mathematics

Out of the 93-member Koshi Provincial Assembly, 92 lawmakers are currently active. RPP lawmaker Bhakti Prasad Sitoula had previously resigned to contest as a candidate for the House of Representatives from Jhapa constituency 4. Currently, the UML has 40 lawmakers including the Deputy Speaker, Congress has 29, the CPN (Maoist Centre) has 17, the RPP has 5 including the Speaker, and the JSP has 1 lawmaker. If the Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre) form a government excluding the UML, they will require the support of the JSP or RPP. Securing at least 47 lawmakers for a majority will be challenging for them.