New Government Expansion in Madhesh Halted Amid Dispute Over 9-Point Agreement
May 24, Janakpurdham – The government was preparing to expand in Madhesh on Sunday afternoon. Three potential provincial lawmakers from the CPN-UML, set to become ministers, had arrived at the Chief Minister’s office for the swearing-in ceremony. The UML had already announced the names of these three prospective ministers. However, the expansion has been stalled due to disputes within the Nepal Communist Party (NCP). The provincial lawmakers who had come for ministerial posts were left disappointed and returned without appointment. The potential ministers from UML include provincial lawmakers Sarda Devi Thapa, Manoj Kumar Singh, and Lakhan Das. Joining them was Mohammad Samir, who had been sworn in as a minister without portfolio last Thursday.
“We were called at 4 PM for the oath-taking. We waited at the Chief Minister’s office, but the leaders from NCP did not arrive. After waiting, we had to return this evening,” one provincial lawmaker who came for the swearing-in explained.
Last Thursday, there was a power shift in Madhesh. Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav of the Congress party dismissed three ministers from the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal and inducted the UML’s Mohammad Samir as a minister without portfolio, administering his oath. However, just three days after the formation of this new arrangement, disputes have emerged within the ruling coalition.
According to one provincial lawmaker, the three-party coalition had reached a 9-point understanding. Yet, no party has signed this agreement so far. There are disagreements regarding both signing and implementation of the accord. The NCP has made signing and implementing the agreement a precondition. Among the points in this agreement are that the upcoming budget should not be less than one crore rupees, projects should be implemented through open competition, budgets for physical infrastructure should be reduced, while increasing allocations for education, health, and agriculture sectors. It also emphasizes good governance, among the nine provisions.
However, Congress and UML are reportedly unwilling to sign or implement the agreement, lawmakers claim. “We want to implement the 9-point agreement to curb past irregularities, but Congress and UML continue to prioritize fragmented plans and work through consumer committees, as before,” one lawmaker said, questioning, “If this situation persists, what legitimacy will this government have? We may look for alternatives.”
Differences also persist in policy matters rather than just bargaining over the Finance Ministry portfolio. Leaders noted that if the ministry is handed over without addressing past irregularities, NCP will bear significant responsibility. The NCP has warned it may withdraw support if conditions are unmet, placing the government in crisis. Since yesterday, dialogue between NCP and leaders of Congress and UML has also halted. A UML lawmaker indicated that if the 9-point agreement had already been signed, the current turmoil could have been avoided.