Kathmandu, February 7
Whereas the left alliance has already divided key provincial positions for six of seven provinces that they have majority in, the Madheshi alliance which will form the government in Province 2 has been stuck over a debate on which is party is bigger than the other.
For last few weeks, Upendra Yadav-led Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal and Mahantha Thakur-led Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal have been engaged in intensive discussions on how to divide key positions, but they have not reached any conclusion.
Sources privy to recent discussions say the two parties have different opinions over which party is bigger. The Forum is the biggest party in Province 2 Assembly with five more seats than the RJPN. However, the RJPN polled more popular votes in recent elections and is bigger than the Forum in the House of Representatives. Therefore, both the parties have claimed themselves to be bigger than the other.
It has almost been certain that Forum’s Lal Babu Raut will lead the provincial government. However, the RJPN has demanded that a rotational system be adopted for the leadership or it be given the position of speaker and four key ministries in the coalition government.
But, the Forum is not ready to let the RJPN lead the government for half of the five-year term. It also thinks that the demand for four ‘powerful ministries’ in the provincial government along with the speaker’s position is more than the party’s size.
The two parties have also discussed if Nepali Congress can be inducted in the government.
Multiple options are being discussed, but nothing has been finalised, according to the sources.
