Can Mandhav Nepal’s party retain strength?
Although Madhav Kumar Nepal, who broke the CPN-UML and formed CPN Unified Socialist which received formal recognition from the Election Commission, was deceived by his 10 close aides at the 11th hour, he got strong and inspiring backing from the senior leader and former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and an overwhelming number of Provincial Assemblies of Bagmati and Sudurpaschim Provinces. While 22 assembly members of the two provinces joined the CPN Unified Socialist on Tuesday, more assembly members from other provinces were to join the new party on Wednesday. With a significant number of Assembly members switching to the new party, the UML is now almost sure to lose its remaining two chief ministers of
Bagmati and Province 1. UML chair KP Sharma Oli who had lured leader Nepal's 10 close aides, who instigated the latter to break the party, by assuring them of important positions in the party, had offered Astalaxmi Shakya and Bhim Acharya to post of chief ministers of Bagmati and Province-1. However, they are now losing their position as they are not in a position to garner a vote of confidence.
Together with Acharya and Shakya, Bhim Rawal, Surendra Pande, Raghiji Panta, Gokarna Bista, Yogesh Bhattarai, Yuba Raj Gyawali and others had switched to Oli group at the 11th hour.
As 12 members of the assembly in Bagmati elected from the UML decided to desert the party to join the newly formed CPN (Unified Socialist) led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, Chief Minister
AstalaxmiShakya has fallen into the minority. Shakya, who is vicechairman of the UML, was appointed CM after the incumbent CM Dormani Poudel resigned from the post to give a unity message in the party. Lawmakers joining the new party are Minister of Social Development of the province Krishna Prasad Sharma, and members Rajendra Pandey, Madhav Poudel, Rajendra Man Shrestha, Basanta Prasad Manandhar, Laxman Lamsal, Rama Ale Magar, Indra Maya Gurung, Munu Sigdel, Kusum Kumar Karki, Basundhara Humagain and Parbati Silwal.
The government will lose the majority after the list of members who verified their association with the new party is submitted to the Provincial Assembly. There are 110 lawmakers in the Bagmati Provincial
Assembly of which 55 are from UML, 23 from CPN (Maoist Centre), 22 from Nepali Congress, three from Bibeksheel Sajha Party, two each from Nepal Workers Peasants Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party and one independent. To stay in power, CM Shakya should acquire the support of at least 55 Assembly members. Meanwhile, 10 lawmakers of CPN (UML) have left the party to join the new party in Sudurpaschim Province. Chief Whip of the party in the Provincial Assembly Durga Kumari BK, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Purna Joshi, Minister of State for Social Development Mana Kumari Saud, Minister of State for Physical Infrastructure Chun Kumari Chaudhary have opted for the new party. Likewise, Maya Kumari Bhatta, Amar Saud, Bal Bahadur Sodari, Sushila Budhathoki and Kulbir Chaudhary have also identified themselves with the new party.