Nepali Congress Rejects Proposal for Joint Government in Provinces

Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has revealed that his party has rejected a proposal to form a joint government with the CPN-UML and the CPN (Unified Socialist) in all seven provinces.

Speaking at the party’s central committee meeting at the party’s central office on Sunday, Thapa briefed the meeting on the issue of provincial governments, stating that the proposal was rejected as it was not suitable for the party, federalism, and democracy.

Thapa explained that according to an understanding reached between former Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and the UML chairman, the Congress would lead the government in provinces where the UML was leading, and vice versa, after a certain period. However, the UML did not agree to this proposal.

Thapa stated, ‘We are in government in the provinces. We are not in some places now. We had an agreement with the UML in all seven provinces. There was a special situation in Madhesh Province. There was a joint government of the UML, Congress, and the Unified Socialist. Previously, when our respected leader Sher Bahadur Deuba was the party president, he and the UML chairman had signed an agreement to form a government, and after a certain period, the Congress would lead in places where the UML was leading, and the UML would lead in places where the Congress was leading.’

He added, ‘We were proposed to form a joint government with the UML and the Unified Socialist in all provinces. We did not accept that proposal. It is not right to form a government without opposition in the provinces. This is not suitable for the party, federalism, and democracy.’

Thapa also emphasized the need for discussion on how to move forward with the federal government and the provincial government, which is playing the role of opposition.