Nepal Communist Party Faces Internal Dispute Over Provincial Government Formation

Surkhet. On Wednesday, the ruling coalition partner Nepali Congress recalled ministers from the government in Karnali. Although support was maintained, on Thursday, the main opposition party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), was persuaded to bring a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel. A motion of no confidence was brought against Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel. Sixteen lawmakers have signed, proposing Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, the leader of the Congress parliamentary party, as the Chief Minister. Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel, who is also the leader of the UML parliamentary party, was hoping for a decision from the center, as a coalition between the then UML and Congress had been formed at the center. However, the Congress informed that the coalition with the UML had broken and established relations with the Maoist Centre. However, within the Maoist Centre, there is a dispute over whether to join the government or not. Even as provincial leaders signed the no-confidence motion in alliance with the Congress, central leaders are actively opposing it on social media. Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Jhalanath Khanal, Shakti Basnet, and Pampha Bhusal have all stated that the Maoist Centre's line is not to be in power at this time. They are questioning why the Maoist Centre is in a hurry to form a government in the province when federalism itself is being questioned. Some are suggesting that a coalition between the Maoist Centre and the UML, rather than the Congress, might be possible. There is also talk of discussions between Oli and Prachanda on similar issues at the center. What will the Maoist Centre in Karnali do after a decision is made to move forward in collaboration with the UML at the center? Regarding this, Ratopati spoke with the chief whip of the Maoist Centre's Karnali Province parliamentary party, Krishna Bahadur GC.

The Maoist Centre in Karnali supported the no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel, proposing Congress's Jeevan Bahadur Shahi as Chief Minister. However, central leaders of the Maoist Centre are saying that the Maoist Centre is not involved in the game of forming a provincial government and that it is not right.

- It is not enough for central leaders to say so. First, if the provincial party does not follow the decision of the central committee, then it is a matter of raising questions. The first thing is that we did not bring down this government. It is widely known that this government became a minority due to a misunderstanding between its two coalition partners. It did not become a minority because of us. Our thinking was that the government would move forward in collaboration between the Congress and the UML, but that did not happen. Another thing is that we made long efforts for a leftist unity with the UML. That was a matter from the center. But they did not seem to be in favor of it, yet they were in a mood to suppress the opposition in the provincial assembly at any cost, adopting such a working style. Now, when the Maoist Centre and Congress are moving forward together in Karnali, are they talking about leftist unity? What is the meaning of such talk? Third, in the 2079 elections, the Nepali Congress, the Unified Socialist Party, and the Maoist Centre fought the election together. The public gave us a mandate to go together for 5 years, and we fought the election. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with forming a coalition with the Congress and moving forward. Is it not the case that those who say it is not right to go into power now did the same thing yesterday? And what kind of ideological deviation is that? The idea that provincial governments become unstable as soon as the Maoist Centre and Congress unite is not true. If a leadership cannot perform, another will be replaced. Replacement should be considered natural.

Most central leaders of the Maoist Centre are expressing the opinion that this was hasty, not good, and against the party's line. Did you not coordinate with the party center when you were trying to increase cooperation with the Congress in the province?

- We should be informed about what the party's line is! It is not possible for leaders or those in the leadership level to simply express dissatisfaction on social media as the party's line. The party's line should be decided by the central committee! If the central committee cannot make such a decision, then saying it was hasty or wrong now has no meaning. We believe this is natural.

There are reports that discussions will be held between Oli and Prachanda after Prachanda returns from abroad. If a coalition is formed between the UML and the Maoist Centre at the center, what will happen here? Will there be a problem?

- It will not happen, it will not happen. We are still in favor of leftist unity. But the point is that it has to be done with behavior and understanding. When they are leading the government, the UML has no interest, and it is not possible for us alone to form a coalition or cooperate. Now, just as the Maoist Centre and Congress are cooperating in Karnali, the arguments of some leaders from both sides are appearing on social media, but they have no meaning. We fought the election in alliance with the Congress. It must be understood that cooperating with the Congress is not against any policy or line.

So, regardless of what happens at the center, the decision to make Jeevan Bahadur Shahi the Chief Minister of Karnali and for the Maoist Centre to join the government remains in place?

- It remains, it remains. This will remain in place unless the party's central committee makes a special decision.

What will you do if the central committee says to cooperate with the UML?

- They have to be ready to cooperate with the UML! Some of our leaders are eager to become UML-ized quickly, that's all, nothing else. After the provincial structure was formed, the then Maoist party, now the Maoist Centre, has been in power for a long time. The remaining term of the provincial assembly is also short. In such a situation, why has the Maoist Centre become eager to change the government again? - We are not trying to change the government. First of all, the Nepali Communist Party was in opposition in the provincial governments. Does a party in opposition try to change the government? If the two coalition partners go together, it's fine. When a misunderstanding arises between them, an alternative must be provided. The Maoist Centre has only provided that alternative in Karnali Province. What else is there? We believe it should be understood in this way. The Maoist Centre itself is not engaged in the game of changing the government.

So, what achievements can the new government bring to the province and the people of Karnali that the current government is unable to provide?

- The budget has been passed, and it is a matter of implementing that budget. We will show results in budget implementation. That will contribute something to the prosperity of Karnali.

Couldn't the Maoist Centre have said,