Nepal’s Bagmati Province Sees Government Upheaval Amid Coalition Shifts

A power struggle is unfolding in Nepal’s Bagmati Province as the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML parties face a potential split in their coalition government. The Nepali Congress has been leading the provincial government, but the CPN-UML has been demanding a share of power.

The CPN-UML has been in talks with the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) to form a new government. NCP lawmaker and former minister Ratnaprasad Dhakal confirmed that informal discussions have taken place between the CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, and NCP.

Dhakal stated that no formal agreement has been reached, and the NCP is waiting for further instructions from its leadership. Party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is currently on a visit to Sri Lanka, and a decision on the government formation is expected after his return.

Background of the Coalition

The Nepali Congress and CPN-UML had formed a coalition government in the Bagmati Province on 9 Shrawan 2081, with an agreement to share the chief ministership for 20 months each. However, the agreement was breached when Indra Bahadur Baniya, who had gained a majority in the Nepali Congress parliamentary party, filed a no-confidence motion against then-Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama.

Baniya eventually became the chief minister on 20 Shrawan 2082, with the support of then-party president Sher Bahadur Deuba. The current provincial assembly has 104 members, with the Nepali Congress holding 36 seats, the NCP holding 26 seats, and the CPN-UML holding 25 seats.

To form a new government, a party or coalition needs to secure the support of at least 53 members. The Nepali Congress and NCP together hold 62 seats, while the CPN-UML and NCP have 51 seats, falling short of the required majority.