Congress Raises Concerns in Meeting with Oli, Discusses Change in Provincial Government Leadership
On Tuesday evening, Nepali Congress Vice-Chairman Bishwaprakash Sharma and Co-General Secretary Udayshamshere Rana visited Gundu to meet with CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli. The meeting featured extensive discussions on the ordinances introduced bypassing Parliament, government policies, and the reshuffling of provincial governments. According to a seven-point agreement, the process of changing provincial government leadership between Congress and UML is underway. Kathmandu, 30 Baisakh.
Vice-Chairman Sharma and Co-General Secretary Rana initially came to inquire about Oli’s health condition, but the primary objective of the meeting was political dialogue. A leader close to Oli said, ‘They came to Gundu to get information about his health, but political discussions certainly took place after the meeting.’
According to sources, the main agenda of the talks was the changes and leadership shifts in the provincial governments. ‘Based on the seven-point agreement, power sharing between Nepali Congress and CPN-UML started in Ashad 2081 (mid-June 2024),’ said a UML leader. During Sharma and Rana’s visit, second-tier leaders from UML and Congress have held multiple consultations. However, the process of replacing chief ministers as per prior agreement appears to be complicated, which prompted Sharma and Rana’s visit to Gundu.
A Congress leader stated, ‘The issue of changing provincial governments remains under discussion between the two parties, but it has not been finalized yet.’ Following the recent special convention, the new Congress leadership appears eager to continue cooperation with UML in provincial governments. If the consensus with UML holds, Congress is expected to lead governments in Koshi, Lumbini, and Karnali provinces, while the UML would govern Bagmati, Gandaki, and Sudurpashchim provinces. However, due to indications that UML leadership may backtrack on the previous agreement, Congress leaders remain cautious and doubtful regarding this matter.