Nepal: Oli used full force to make a dent in the ruling coalition, former PM ready to make every move

After slipping to the second number in the general elections, the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), led by former Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli, has put all its might to dent the ruling coalition. The UML got only 78 seats in the general elections for the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Parliament. The Nepali Congress emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, while the five-party alliance led by it won 136 seats, two short of an absolute majority. In such a situation, it is not possible for the UML to gain power for the next five years amidst common political equations. 

UML leaders have said in their public statements that they will happily play the role of the opposition. Party's Vice President Surendra Pandey told reporters on Thursday- 'Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is capable of running the coalition. So he is in a position to lead the new Government However, according to media reports, UML is continuously making moves to break the ruling coalition from within. According to these reports, UML is yet to get any success in its endeavour. Despite this, he has not stopped his efforts. 

According to reports, the UML leaders are holding separate talks with leaders of the Nepali Congress led by Deuba and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), the second largest party in the ruling coalition. A report in the newspaper Kathmandu Post states that UML Vice President Vishnu Poudel, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Deputy General Secretary Prithvi Subba have held talks with Maoist center leaders in the past few days. Among those leaders is Dev Gurung, general secretary of the Maoist centre. 

A leader of UML's Central Committee told the Kathmandu Post- 'I cannot give more details right now, but our party is working to break the alliance led by the Nepali Congress. Our first objective is to form the government under the leadership of UML. If we are not able to separate the Maoist center from the ruling coalition, it will mean that we will not be able to get the presidency or any other important post. 

Talking to media persons, UML leaders have admitted that their party's task has become difficult after the parties in the ruling coalition made a public pledge to stay united. But their assessment is that if Prime Minister Deuba does not agree to give the post of chief minister to the Maoist centre, then once again there may be a rift in the alliance. UML's Central Committee member Vishnu Rijal has said- 'Our party is keeping an eye on what is going on inside the alliance. If conditions are favorable for us, we will stake claim to form the government under our leadership.

The leaders of the ruling coalition are also aware of the efforts of UML. Pampha Bhusal, deputy general secretary of the Maoist centre, told the Kathmandu Post – “UML is desperate to break the ruling coalition. The UML leaders are believed to have approached the leaders of the ruling coalition with several lucrative offers. But our party has no plans to break ties with the Nepali Congress.