Nepal's Madhav Nepal, Prachanda, and Oli Form New Government in Madhesh Province

In a significant political development, Nepal's Madhav Nepal, Prachanda, and Oli have joined forces to form a new government in Madhesh Province. The coalition, which includes 12 members, was established following a series of talks and agreements among key political parties.

Why this matters: The formation of a new government in Madhesh Province has significant implications for Nepal's political stability and regional dynamics. This development could lead to a shift in power balances and influence the country's future policy decisions.

The CPN-UML (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and CPN-Maoist Center have agreed to support the Janamat Party in forming the new government. This agreement was reached during a meeting between the three parties. The current government, led by the Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, has been in a minority since the UML withdrew its support.

The new government will have the backing of 12 members, including prominent leaders Madhav Nepal, Prachanda, and Oli. The five-party alliance, which includes the CPN-UML, Maoist Center, Janamat Party, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, and Unified Socialist, has signed an agreement to form the new government.

The 107-member provincial assembly requires 54 seats to form a new government. The current seat distribution is as follows: UML holds 24 seats (excluding the Speaker), Janamat Party has 13 seats, CPN (Maoist Center) holds 9 seats, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party has 8 seats, CPN (Unified Socialist) holds 7 seats, Nepali Congress has 22 seats, and Janata Samajbadi Party has 18 seats.

The agreement to form the new government was reached on Thursday evening, with the parties deciding to elect a Janamat Party candidate to be Chief Minister. The Loktantrik Samajwadi Party and Unified Socialist have also joined the alliance but have not yet signed the agreement.

Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav of the Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal is preparing to take a vote of confidence by June 10. The Janamat Party, backed by its allies, is set to stake its claim on the post of Chief Minister on May 31, 2024.

Saroj Yadav, the UML parliamentary party leader, stated, "It has been decided to share the ministries by mutual agreement among the parties participating in the government and to continue dialogue with other parties that are positive about forming a new joint government."

In the broader political scenario, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba is making efforts to regain power after being ousted from the government on March 5. Deuba is working to create distrust among the ruling parties and bring the Nepali Congress back to power.

The Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP-N) Nepal has split, and Deuba is now seeking support from the Unified Socialist Party and the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) to sustain the minority Madhesh provincial government. Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav is set to seek a vote of confidence from the state assembly on June 5.

Political dynamics in Madhesh Province continue to evolve, and the formation of the new government marks a critical moment. The collaboration among Madhav Nepal, Prachanda, and Oli highlights the shifting alliances and the ongoing quest for political stability in Nepal.

Key Takeaways

• Madhav Nepal, Prachanda, and Oli form new government in Madhesh Province.
• 12-member coalition includes CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Center, and Janamat Party.
• New government has 54 seats, surpassing the 107-member provincial assembly threshold.
• Janamat Party candidate to be elected Chief Minister, replacing Saroj Kumar Yadav.
• Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba seeks to regain power amidst shifting alliances.