Uproar in Koshi, Chaos in Nepali Congress, Frustration in Coalition !!

Koshi Province is on the edge as a crucial deadline for the formation of a new government approaches, with the clock ticking down to 5 pm today.

In the midst of this political frenzy, both major political factions are working tirelessly to secure power, engaging in what some are calling a high-stakes political “homework” session today. The outcome of these efforts will ultimately determine the province’s next Chief Minister.

On Thursday, a significant development unfolded as Indra Bahadur Angbo, the leader of the Maoist Center, and Congress MP Kedar Karki, along with 47 MPs, submitted their claims to the province’s chief. This bold move has sent shockwaves through the ruling alliance, primarily due to Karki’s open rebellion against both the alliance’s collective decision and the party’s official stance.

Amid this political crisis, coalition parties, including the Congress, are actively exploring various strategies to navigate the situation. Options being considered include rejecting Karki’s claim, pressuring him to withdraw it, or attempting to sway the parliamentarians who have pledged their support to him.

Additionally, today, the Koshi Province Performance Committee of the Congress is convening a meeting to address the actions taken by the Koirala camp. In parallel, central officials of the Congress are preparing for discussions to address the issues surrounding Koshi Province.

In another noteworthy development, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has made a significant announcement. The party has chosen to abstain from endorsing any candidate for the Chief Minister’s position in Koshi Province. In a meeting held today, party leaders concluded that none of the candidates vying for the party’s support met the essential criteria for their endorsement.

Dissatisfaction in Congress

Amid the ongoing political upheaval in Koshi Province, a sense of dissatisfaction has emerged within the Congress party due to actions taken by the Shekhar Koirala group. These actions, which include not supporting the alliance and claiming the Chief Ministership in support of the UML, have raised concerns within the party.

Gururaj Ghimire, a prominent Congress leader believed to be close to Shekhar Koirala, expressed his disapproval of the turmoil in the Koshi region. In a tweet, Ghimire stated, “Anarchy in the Koshi region is unacceptable. Violating the principles of democracy goes against the very essence of our Constitution. I disagree with these actions.”

Likewise, Congress MP Bhim Parajuli also voiced his dissatisfaction, condemning what he views as an ill-conceived attempt to gain power in Koshi Province. Parajuli commented on social media, saying, “The misguided pursuit of power in Koshi Pradesh has compromised the core principles, beliefs, and ideals of the Congress. It has brought shame to the party. Is our sole objective to grasp power at any cost? If our founding leader, BP Koirala, had adopted such a mentality, he would not have spent his life in imprisonment, fighting and sacrificing for our nation. There were always opportunities to become the Prime Minister. Where will such distorted actions lead the Congress and our nation? It’s time for our leadership to reflect and prevent this misguided course and a potential disaster.”

Appointment of a chief minister in accordance with Article 168(5) and securing a trust vote within 30 days after the appointment becomes crucial because failure to do so will lead the province to mid-term polls. The assembly has already exercised all the options to appoint a chief minister since the election last year.

NC has 29 seats the provincial assembly, CPN (Maoist Center) has 13, CPN (Unified Socialist) has four and Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) has one seat. UML is the largest party in the 93-strong provincial assembly with 40 seats including the deputy speaker. RPP, which has remained neutral, has six seats.

With the deadline only hours away, Koshi Province finds itself embroiled in a tense and uncertain political situation. The formation of a new government hangs in the balance, making it a story worth following closely for any further developments. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding political saga in Koshi Province.