CPN (UML), which took part in the general elections with the hope of securing 150 seats and forming a majority government, did not achieve the expected success.
However, the UML has an equal opportunity to form the government since the ruling coalition also could not get a majority.
UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, deputy secretaries, and standing committee members have intensified meetings with the leaders of all the political parties represented in the Parliament, of late.
UML, which has secured 78 seats in the House of Representatives (HoR), is ready to share power with other parties on the condition of holding the post of the premiership. However, the UML says that it would not leave the post of president.
A UML source told Nepalkhabar that the post of President, which has long-term importance, "should not be given up but can be interchanged in case of the Prime Minister".
"The UML wants to keep the Presidential post for itself but that of the Prime Minister can be alternated," said an official close to Chairman Oli.
The official said that Chairman Oli has indicated that the Prime Minister's post for the first term of five years can be given to other parties if they are ready to give the Presidential post to the UML.
The leader said that UML will propose to take the helm of the Prime Minister for 2 years or 2 and a half years and then hand it over to other party.
UML Deputy Secretary General Bishnu Rimal said, "The Prime Minister is determined by arithmetic and alliances. The President, Vice President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chairman of the National Assembly, and Chief Ministers are important members who play a crucial role for the stability in the country."
Distribution model
Parliament will be convened after the Election Commission submits the final results of the November 20 elections to the President on Thursday. The lawmakers will take oath in the first meeting. Then the President will give the date for the formation of the government.
Since one party did not get the majority, the parties in the parliament will have to go for a coalition government. UML leaders say that after analyzing the situation within the coalition party, they will take an appropriate decision on government formation.
There are 35 positions from the President to the Deputy Speaker of the province. While distributing all the posts, UML's first emphasis is on the President.
In 2074, after agreeing to lead the government alternately with the Maoist Center, the UML contested the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections and retained both the Prime Minister and the President. Similarly, the Chief Ministers of Bagmati, Gandaki and Province 1 were also appointed by UML. Bidya Bhandari became the President when Oli was elected as the Prime Minister.
The Maoist Center got the Vice President and the Speaker. Six months after the election results, the party united and became Nepal Communist Party (NCP).
However, the relationship with Prachanda deteriorated after Oli broke the agreement to give the Prime Minister alternately. Oli dissolved the parliament twice. That is why the NCP was dissolved and the CPN (UML) was reinstated.
The existing alliance including NC, Maoist Center and CPN Unified Socialist Party came into being and formed the government.
UML, which was out of power for one and a half years, could not secure the expected results in local-level elections on May 13 and general elections on November 20.
The results have shown that the government will be formed in four provinces without UML.
Having known that they will have to stay out of power for five years unless they take initiative at the center, UML is going to present itself liberally for power sharing.
UML is also trying to bring the Maoist Center to its fold. UML leaders are in dialogues with both NC and Maoist Center leaders.
It is not certain that UML will get the President if it allies with the NC. NC has also retained the presidential post once. So it understands the role of the president. The then President Dr Ram Baran Yadav stopped the dismissal of Chief of Army Staff Rukmangat Katuwal that led to the resignation of then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.
Currently, the NC is staking a claim for both the post of President and Prime Minister. Even with the alliance and power-sharing with the UML, the chances of the NC vacating both posts are slim.
UML is trying to partner with parties, including the Maoist Center, as it understands the difficulty of getting along with the NC.
On Tuesday evening, Maoist General Secretary Dev Prasad Gurung had a discussion with UML Chairman Oli. He did not want to reveal the details about the meeting with Oli.
However, after consulting with Maoist Center Chairman Prachanda, Gurung reached Oli's residence. Prachanda is suspecting that he will be 'cheated' by the NC.
UML vice president Bishnu Poudel, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, standing committee member Raghubir Mahaseth and other leaders are also holding talks with Prachanda.
UML Deputy General Secretary and Spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung said that he is lobbying in favor of the Left Alliance.
However, the Maoist Center is not ready to ally with the UML immediately.
Chairman Prachanda is planning to become the Prime Minister for the first term by forming a coalition government with the NC.
