Major parties fail to forge alliances

KATHMANDU: As the March 5 House of Representatives election approaches, attempts at electoral alliances among Nepal’s major political parties have collapsed.

Informal talks aimed at forming coalitions failed to reach a conclusion, prompting parties to prepare for solo campaigns.

The CPN (UML) had proposed seat-sharing arrangements with the Nepali Congress and CPN (Unified Socialist) in select constituencies. However, both parties rejected the proposals.

UML Chair KP Sharma Oli had shown renewed efforts to cooperate with Congress and CPN ahead of the elections, but internal disagreements within Congress leadership and the second tier of CPN leaders thwarted the plan.

Since Gagan Thapa assumed leadership after the party’s recent general convention, Nepali Congress has firmly opposed any pre-election alliances.

Thapa has strictly enforced a policy of contesting independently, emphasizing that the party will field candidates solely on its own strength.

UML also explored alliances with CPN in specific areas. Chair Oli proposed cooperation to CPN Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ for Jhapa-5 and Dhangadhi-2 (Shankar Pokharel’s constituency).

While Prachanda initially appeared open, senior leaders including Madhav Kumar Nepal, Bhim Rawal, and Jhalnath Khanal outright rejected the idea.

In a Thursday Zoom meeting, Prachanda confirmed rejecting Oli’s proposal, stating that an alliance would disproportionately benefit Oli and harm CPN.

Young leaders warned that cooperating with Oli could trigger internal rebellion, which influenced the party’s decision to back away.

The failure of alliance talks has put UML under some pressure. Nevertheless, the party has already agreed to cooperate with the Progressive Democratic Party (Prajolpa), led by Janardan Sharma and Baburam Bhattarai.

UML Vice-Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ stated that the party seeks alliances only with forces that oppose destructive elements in the country.

Meanwhile, UML Chair Oli has launched his election campaign in his home constituency Jhapa-5.

Door-to-door campaigning intensified from Saturday, as Oli faces competition from Rastriya Swatantra Party senior leader Balen Shah and CPN candidate Ranjit Tamang.

With major parties contesting independently this time, the upcoming election promises heightened competition.

With coalition options closed, all parties are now focusing on mobilizing their internal organization and intensifying grassroots campaigns.