Deuba reinstated after losing power

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who joined the opposition after the collapse of the then-five-party ruling coalition, has increased dialogue with ruling party leaders.

When Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ was preparing to take the House of Representatives vote of confidence, the president of the main opposition party, Deuba, became active in political meetings.

Prachanda is preparing to take the vote of confidence after becoming Prime Minister on Jan 10. Deuba, the leader of the main opposition party, is currently communicating with the leaders of the seven-party alliance at the Dhumbarahi residence.

Deuba spoke with Janardan Sharma Prabhakar, Deputy Secretary General of the CPN Maoist Center, on Wednesday. Nothing has been revealed about the discussions with Sharma, who arrived at Deuba’s residence in Dhumbarahi.

Even if the five-party alliance disintegrates, Congress has seen the possibility of forming a government in some states under its leadership. He is continuing talks with the seven-party alliance in order to form a government in that state. However, when the Maoist-led government is in power, the dialogue between Deuba and Janardan Sharma is regarded as meaningful.

Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal Chair Upendra Yadav, who participated in the seven-party alliance meeting on Wednesday, also reached Dhumbarahi on Thursday. Yadav, who is seeking the leadership of the government in Madhesh State, has given support to the federal government but has not sent a minister.

Deuba has seen the possibility of forming a government in other States including Madhesh with the support of parties including Jaspa.

Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav took over as party leader after JSP President Yadav was defeated in the election on November 20. However, the JSP remains hesitant to send ministers to the government. Following his departure from the government, Deuba is focusing on Dhumbarahi and intensifying talks with Congress and other party leaders.

This Deuba political meeting, which was postponed for a few days following the formation of the government under Prachanda’s leadership, can be considered significant.

Although the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) wanted to be a part of the government, then-King Gyanendra Shah was seen as being opposed to it. RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden met former King Gyanendra prior to the Central Performance Committee’s decision to participate in the government with conditions.

RPP decided to participate with conditions after the majority of the performance committee leaders voted in favor of participation in government.

Soon after that, the leaders of RPP including Rabindra Mishra met the former King Gyanendra. In order to participate in the government, the RPP has set a condition that public holidays and four ministries should be given on the day of Prithvi Jayanti (Jan 11).

It is suspected that the political parties that reached Sheetal Niwas to appoint Prachanda as Prime Minister will not give a vote of confidence.

According to sources, Congress leaders are attempting to reclaim power by restoring the country’s power politics to the state described in Article 76 (3) of the Constitution.

Purna Bahadur Khadka and Krishna Prasad Sitaula are among the leaders involved in this exercise, and former vice-chairperson Bimalendra Nidhi has arrived in New Delhi.