Wait and See: Deuba’s Response to PM Dahal’s Cabinet Reshuffle Intentions

In a strategic maneuver to address challenges in effective governance, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda of Nepal is set to embark on a significant cabinet reshuffle, with a primary focus on key ministerial positions. The impending changes, slated for later this week, are poised to reshape the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Prime Minister Dahal, recognizing the critical role of the Finance Ministry in governance, has approached Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba, a coalition partner, with a proposal to transfer control of the Finance Ministry from Nepali Congress to the Maoists. This proposition, if accepted, would witness the return of Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, while Barshman Pun from the Maoist Center would assume the role.

However, discord arises as Nepali Congress leaders express concerns about the potential shift of the Home Ministry to Maoist control, citing risks to their members. NC President Deuba, despite Prime Minister Dahal’s call for a swift exchange of ministries, advocates for a delay until after the party’s Mahasamiti meeting scheduled for February 19.

Sources close to Deuba suggest that implementing changes before the Mahasamiti meeting could pose challenges within the party, leading to the proposal to defer the reshuffle until after the general committee meeting. The uncertainty over who will assume the role of Home Minister in the event of a transfer to Nepali Congress adds complexity to the decision.

Factional politics within the Nepali Congress further complicates matters, with General Secretary Gagan Thapa emerging as a contender for the Home Ministerial position. The final decision rests on Deuba’s choice, potentially escalating factional tensions within the party.

Prime Minister Dahal aims to include a team comprising Gagan Thapa, Barshman Pun, Rajendra Pandey, and Raj Kishore Yadav in the government, seeking their support as the reshuffle unfolds.

Simultaneously, the Prime Minister is engaged in negotiations with the Unified Socialist Party, led by Madhav Nepal, addressing their claims of injustice in the National Assembly during the Cabinet reshuffle.

Adding another layer of complexity, CK Raut’s Janamat Party has issued warnings of leaving the General Administration Ministry, creating further challenges in the political landscape. To maintain harmony with the CPN-UML, PM Dahal contemplates including Rabi Lamichhane’s party if the Unified Socialist Party withdraws from the government.

Sources suggest that these strategic moves align with Prime Minister Dahal’s overarching goal of sustaining the government for the entire five-year term. As the political chessboard continues to shift, Nepal watches closely, anticipating the outcomes of this pivotal cabinet reshuffle.