Why KP Oli and Prachanda Have Agreed to Cooperate in Different Provinces
Image source, CPN UML
The leaders of CPN UML and the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) have stated that their agreement to cooperate and form joint governments in the provinces is currently limited only to the provincial level.
While some have described this as a leftist coalition or as preparation for the upcoming local and provincial elections next year, the leaders of both parties clarified that their cooperation is aimed solely at stabilizing the provincial governments for now.
The Nepali Congress, which is currently exiting provincial governments, has expressed a preference to remain outside the government, reasoning that it remains safer if there is no opposition absent.
Less than a year after last year’s Gen Z movement caused the collapse of the joint federal government of the Nepali Congress and UML, the provincial agreements between the two parties across all seven provinces have also unraveled.
Key Points of the Agreement Between the Two Communist Parties
Image source, RSS
On Saturday, CPN UML Chairman KP Oli and CPN Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda made a tripartite agreement pledging to govern the provinces through a partnership of the two main leftist parties.
The agreement covers cooperation in the provincial assemblies and forming joint governments; CPN UML will lead Koshi, Bagmati, and Lumbini provinces; CPN will lead Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces; and in Madhesh and Gandaki provinces, leadership and participation will be determined after consultations with other parties.
The direct impact of this agreement is likely to be felt especially in Bagmati and Sudurpashchim, where the Nepali Congress had led provincial governments, and displacement is now a possibility.
In Madhesh and Gandaki provinces, where Congress currently holds the chief minister’s position, there remains an open possibility for Congress to lead with support from other parties.
CPN leader Barshaman Pun explained the core purpose of the agreement as an effort to resolve disputes, some instability, and differences between the two ruling parties at the provincial level.
“In Sudurpashchim, even the budget was halted. We tried to form the government with three parties, but when Congress did not agree, it was halted. Now we have resolved the deadlock by cooperating,” he said.
“We had two options: to go for midterm elections or to cooperate. Considering elections are scheduled next year and various federal issues are ongoing, we chose cooperation instead,” Pun added.
CPN UML Secretary Padma Aryal described the current agreement as a natural development.
“After disputes began, a solution was needed. In Sudurpashchim, after the Congress chief minister dismissed UML ministers over budget issues, it was decided to ensure stability either together or with the CPN,” Aryal explained.
Both parties’ leaders have said they want to include the Nepali Congress in power-sharing, but the Congress Deputy Chairperson has indicated that is not theoretically feasible.
“We see the agreement between the two parties forming the provincial governments. We remain open for further talks, but our theoretical stance is that the opposition is essential,” said Deputy Chairperson Pushpa Bhusal.
Operational Unity or Long-Term Agreement?
The parties ousted from the central government in the last election are reportedly beginning preparations for the local and provincial elections next year.
Following their written agreement on provincial cooperation, expectations are growing that the leftist parties may form coalitions or alliances in the upcoming elections.
However, leaders from both parties have stated that this is not an initial step toward leftist unity.
“We will see what comes of the cooperation. It is good for like-minded parties to stay close, but the current agreement is only to avert the immediate crisis,” said CPN leader Pun.
“There is still time before elections. No decision has been made on coalition or single contest yet.”
CPN UML Secretary Padma Aryal clarified that such an agreement represents “operational unity, not a long-term one.”
“The leaders may have talked, but this agreement is not for the future, only an immediate operational unity. There is no agreement on party unification,” she said.
She added that decisions on unity and elections will be made later.
Analyst’s Perspective on ‘Left Unity’
Image source, RSS
While the leaders of both parties argue that immediate leftist unity is not forthcoming, a political analyst has questioned the proclaimed ‘left unity.’
“First, there is the question of how leftist these parties really are. I find no leftist perspective reflected in the current tripartite agreement. What difference will a new provincial government make compared to the old one? There’s no evidence of leftist reforms or changes there,” said analyst Rajendra Maharjan.
“This is simply another exercise for power; there is no substance of ideology, policy, or program. It will bring nothing new beyond distributing chief minister and minister positions among friends.”
Rajendra Maharjan noted the diminished significance and discussion of ‘left unity’ under current circumstances, saying,
“They may come closer for the sake of survival in elections, but ideology won’t hold them back.”
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