Conflict between parties delaying Nepal’s cabinet expansion: Experts

KATHMANDU - The delay in the formation of the cabinet after Jhalanath Khanal took oath as Prime Minister on February 3, is being viewed by experts as a conflict between the two major political forces United Communist Party of NepalMaoists (UCPN-M) and CPN-UML in the government.

CPN-UML Chairman Khanal took over as Prime Minister after more than seven months of rule under a caretaker government.

However, more than a week has passed since Khanal took his oath of office, but the cabinet is yet to be formed.

Puskar Lal Shrestha, a senior journalist, political analyst and Chaiman of Kamana Publications in Nepal expressed the view that not much can be expected of the government.

“This is more of a personal alliance between the Chairmen of the two parties (Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda of UCPN-M and Jhalanath Khanal of CPN-UML) rather than an ideological alliance,” Xinhua quoted Shrestha, as saying.

“This is an unnatural coalition which lacks the political professional spirit, thus, it will only deepen the political instability in the country,” he said.

Dr. Ramesh Nath Pandey, political expert and former Foreign Minister, expressed his view that the agreement was signed as a commitment from both parties for unity.

“It is a commitment expressed by both parties to have a unity between all the republicans, patriotic forces and communists to protect Nepal’s independence and bring the peace process to a conclusion,” Pandey said.

CPN-UML spokesman Dinanath Sharma said that peace and constitution making was the ultimate objective of the government. (ANI)