Former Finance Minister Surendra Pandey has reported the collapse of the ruling coalition between the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) and the Sheh Bahadur Deuba-led Nepali Congress in the Himalayan country. A new coalition government under Prime Minister Pushpa Kumar Dahal is set to be inaugurated, with the appointment of a fresh council of ministers.

In a Facebook post, Pandey, the Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), announced that the government would change. He stated that a new cabinet would be formed, and the swearing-in ceremony for a small number of ministers is scheduled to take place today.

The Left Alliance coalition will consist of four political parties: the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kumar Dahal; the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML); the Rashtriya Swatantra Party; and the Janata Samajbadi Party.

Officials from the PM's Secretariat have confirmed to ANI that Dahal will retain the Prime Minister's post and is preparing to appoint ministers recommended by the parties in the new coalition.

The most recent cabinet reshuffle occurs one year after the government's formation following the last general elections. Prime Minister Dahal, noted for his frequent changes in political allegiance, assumed office last year with the backing of CPN-UML and other parties, whom he abandoned within three months to ally with the Nepali Congress.

Prime Minister Dahal, recognized for his political inconsistency, assumed office last year with the backing of CPN-UML and other parties. However, he severed ties with them within three months and allied with the Nepali Congress.

The growing discord between the Maoist Centre and Nepali Congress, two prominent parties in Nepal, regarding the claim for chairmanship of the National Assembly, posed a threat to an already precarious ruling coalition.

Following the Standing Committee meeting on February 28, the Maoist Centre decided to contest the chairmanship of the National Assembly. Chairman and incumbent Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had previously assured the Nepali Congress (NC) of support during the election. Spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota stated, "Our comrades suggested fielding our own candidate for the post, and it has been decided accordingly."

Following its Standing Committee meeting on February 28, the Maoist Centre decided to contest for the chairmanship of the National Assembly. Despite previous assurances to support the Nepali Congress, Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal stated that the party would field its own candidate for the position, as confirmed by spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota.

On February 29, Pushpa Kamal Dahal reiterated the Maoist Centre's claim to field a candidate for the post of Chairman of the National Assembly. Speaking in Bharatpur, he stated that a majority of the party's standing committee had voted in favour of this decision, indicating a shift from the earlier agreement with the Nepali Congress.

In the current composition of the National Assembly, the Maoist Centre holds 17 seats, the Nepali Congress holds 16 seats, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) holds 19 seats, the CPN (Unified Socialist) holds 8 seats, the Janata Samajbadi Party holds 3 seats, and both the Rastriya Janamorcha and Loktantrik Samajbadi Party hold one seat each.

Image source: ANI