Congress and UML Finalize Preparations for Reorganization of Provincial Governments

May 19, Kathmandu – Discussions between the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML regarding the reorganization of provincial governments have intensified in recent days. On Tuesday morning, Deputy Chairman Bishwaprakash Sharma held talks with UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli about changes to provincial governments. Sharma has been entrusted by Congress with coordinating the reorganization efforts. Acting on this mandate, Sharma has been engaging in dialogue with various inter-party leaders.

According to sources, agreements have been reached so far in Madhesh and Lumbini provinces. In Madhesh Province, Krishna Prasad Yadav of Congress is the incumbent Chief Minister and there is a consensus to continue his leadership. “The UML has agreed to provide a vote of confidence and participate in the government by May 21,” sources said. Currently, UML is outside the government in Madhesh. Following the Janamat Party’s withdrawal of support, the Chief Minister there is required to seek a vote of confidence. Repeated discussions have resulted in UML agreeing to support the incumbent Congress-led government in Madhesh.

Similarly, an agreement has been reached to reorganize the government in Lumbini Province. “The government in Lumbini will be restructured within a few days,” a Congress-affiliated source disclosed. The current Chief Minister in Lumbini, CPN-UML’s Chetanarayan Acharya, is expected to be replaced by Congress leadership following the reorganization.

Leaders have indicated that preparations to alter governments in other provinces are also in their final stages. In a secretariat meeting held on Monday, Oli provided detailed information about the upcoming reorganization of provincial governments. “Discussions are underway to change provincial governments within two to three days,” he stated.

A UML official mentioned that efforts are being made to include the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) in the restructured provincial governments. “It is necessary for all democratic representative forces to unite and proceed accordingly,” Oli said.

The official also revealed that Oli has indicated the leadership of the Sudurpashchim Province government might be handed over to the NCP. “It is understood that Oli proposed to Congress leaders that granting Sudurpashchim Province to the NCP would create an environment for all parties to come together,” the official explained.

Sudurpashchim Province has a 52-member provincial assembly with NCP holding 22 seats, Congress 18, UML 10, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party one. With NCP as the largest party in the province, Oli has proposed that NCP lead the government and participate in other provinces’ governments as well. However, Congress, which currently leads the government, has reportedly not yet agreed, though its leaders have expressed willingness to enter discussions.

Both parties have agreed on changes in Bagmati, Gandaki, and Karnali provincial governments. In Bagmati and Gandaki, Congress currently leads the government, whereas Karnali is led by UML. According to prior consensus, the parties will swap leadership in these provinces.

Issues have arisen in Koshi Province due to a prior agreement. In Ashad 2081 (June-July 2024) during a power-sharing arrangement, UML Chairman Oli and then Congress Chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba had a secret agreement concerning the governments of Koshi and Sudurpashchim provinces. They agreed not to alter the governments in these provinces for five years.

“There was an agreement for UML to lead the Koshi Province government and Congress to lead the Sudurpashchim government for five years,” sources explained, “but problems have emerged following changes in Congress leadership.” Oli insists that the Koshi provincial government should remain under UML leadership as per the prior agreement, while Congress Deputy Chairman Bishwaprakash Sharma disagrees.

“Koshi Province is now also the jurisdiction of Sharma, so he is asserting his own stance,” a Congress leader from Koshi said. Gagan Thapa, Congress Chairman, who met Oli Sunday evening, stated that Sharma remains firm and since the party assigned him the responsibility, the decision should be made in his time.

Deputy Chairman Sharma holds the position that the Koshi provincial government should now be under Congress leadership. Leaders have indicated that a new Chief Minister’s name has been proposed. “Congress should lead the Koshi government, and Uddhav Thapa is the proposed new Chief Minister,” according to Sharma. He emphasized that all provinces should be treated fairly and Koshi and Sudurpashchim cannot be exceptions.

Despite these disagreements, both parties have agreed to maintain the coalition. “Both are in talks with Prachanda as alternatives to each other, but the priority remains the collaboration between Congress and UML,” sources coordinated the information.

By reaching consensus on the Madhesh and Lumbini governments, the parties have signaled their commitment to continue their cooperation. According to leaders, there is also near agreement on the appointment of Bagmati Province’s Assembly Speaker. “The Speaker will be appointed tomorrow or the day after,” a UML leader said, though it remains undecided who will receive the post, and no strong stance has emerged from either side.