Congress, UML, and CPN-M Prepare Alliance Amidst Political Realignment

Kathmandu. The results of the February 21 elections have initiated groundwork for forming an alliance among the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN-M, which have been reduced to small sizes in Parliament.

It is necessary to alert and caution the government and the Nepali people, as the actions of the government led by Balen Shah are becoming contrary to the spirit and sentiment of the constitution and democratic republic, they stated.

Expressing concern over the escalating situation, the old three parties feel the necessity of cooperation among the parties that contributed to bringing this system, and in that regard, leaders have been continuously engaging in dialogue and discussions. Leaders from all three parties admit that efforts are underway to form an alliance.

According to them, although a theoretical agreement has been reached in formal/informal meetings and dialogues among the top leaders of the Congress, UML, and CPN-M to unite against the government's excesses, a concrete conclusion on how to proceed practically remains to be reached.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli briefed in the UML Secretariat meeting held on May 4 that discussions were ongoing among the top leaders of the Congress and CPN-M regarding this. 'The Chairman briefed about this in the last meeting,' said UML Secretary Bhanubhakta Dhakal. 'It is understood that discussions have taken place at the top level to reach a conclusion after further deliberation.'

According to leader Dhakal, the theoretical agreement to move forward unitedly against the atrocities of democracy and the government in the parliament and on the streets has become the border line. 'The understanding is that it would be appropriate for the Left-Democrats to move forward together in the streets and in the parliament,' he told Ratopati. According to Dhakal, practical programs will be formulated only after tripartite discussions.

For this, sources claim that proposals have been put forward to change the leadership of provincial governments and include CPN-M in the government in Sudurpashchim to win the trust of the Congress and CPN-M.

Currently, governments in the provinces are formed by the Congress-UML alliance. They had agreed to share the leadership of provincial governments on a rotational basis. According to that agreement, the leadership of provincial governments must be changed by June.

Currently, the UML leads the governments in Koshi, Lumbini, and Karnali, while the Congress leads the governments in Bagmati, Madhesh, Sudurpashchim, and Gandaki. In such a situation, UML has proposed to give the leadership of the Sudurpashchim provincial government to CPN-M, while discussions are underway for UML to participate in the government led by Congress in Madhesh.

'Since CPN-M is the largest party in Sudurpashchim, there is a proposal from the UML Chairman to give it the leadership of the government. Congress has not said anything about this yet,' said a UML official. 'It would be appropriate for all three parties to go together, with three-three-one distribution.'

However, it is said that Congress has not been able to reach a decision on this proposal as it would mean losing leadership in one of the four provinces it currently holds.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Pradip Poudel states that Congress is open to cooperating with forces that are in favor of democracy for the protection of the constitution and democratic republic. He believes that dialogues and discussions among parties in this regard should be taken as natural.

'There is no difficulty in cooperating for the protection of the constitution and republic. For that, we are ready and open to move forward by cooperating with all proponents of the constitution and the system,' General Secretary Poudel told Ratopati. 'Regarding the provinces, we are not in favor of internal contradictions and unstable governments.'

He further stated that the matter is first to reach an understanding between UML and Congress, and beyond that, discussions and cooperation can be held with parties present in the parliament as per the situation.

The Nepal Communist Party (CPN-M) had already decided in its coordination committee meeting, which started on March 19 and concluded in the second week of April, to move forward through cooperation with democratic forces for the protection of democracy and the constitution. 

'A common understanding will be reached among the proponents of Nepal's constitution, federal democratic republic, and patriotic forces with the objective of protecting and strengthening national independence and democracy, and a strong role will be played from both the street and parliamentary fronts,' CPN-M stated in its decision.

CPN-M spokesperson Prakash Jwala said that the party has already made a policy decision to cooperate and that efforts for cooperation are also underway.

'Looking at some of the government's activities, they are undermining the achievements of the movement, violating the constitution, and interfering in the judiciary, thus they are not only against the constitution and democracy but also against the people,' said leader Jwala. 'The people are suffering from inflation, and the displaced are in distress. The government, which preaches good governance, is creating chaos itself. Our party has clearly spoken out against these wrongdoings of the government.'

CPN-UML's Madhesh Province In-charge Lila Shrestha states that political forces that played a role in bringing about the republic have come to a situation where they need to unite in the streets and in parliament, and therefore, talks and discussions are being held accordingly.

'The issue of saving the republic has now become prominent. We are hearing that there are internal plans to bring back the monarchy,' said Shrestha. 'To save the constitution and the republic, and in the changed circumstances, to establish good governance in the provinces, we need to change ourselves and cooperate as necessary.'

For this, Chairman Oli has been holding separate discussions with leaders of the Congress and CPN-M, according to him. 'Talks are ongoing with Congress President Gagan Thapa, leader Bishwaprakash Sharma, and Prachanda,' said Shrestha. 'Now, tripartite discussions are being held to determine a concrete model of cooperation.'