Exercise of power 'upheaval'

Leaders say that a new phase of dialogue has started between the two major parties since the Maoist broke up with the Congress and formed an alliance with the UML on February 21. However, leaders from both sides were discussing not only the government, but also the proposal to reform the constitution for political stability. The meeting between Deuba and Oli has been closed saying that the dialogue between the leaders of the second level was positive.

Congress leaders say that there is an agreement between the two parties on how to run the government if there is agreement on the main issue. It is not a big issue, UML President Oli himself has brought a clear agenda - the remaining term of the Parliament will be halved for about three and a half years, the party that gets the Prime Minister will get 10 ministries and the supporting party will get 11 ministries. Likewise, the Prime Minister's party will lead the government in three provinces and the allied party will lead the government in four provinces. And, after half time, they will give the turn to the other party in exactly the same formula,'' they say.

Although Deuba has already agreed to Oli's proposal, the leaders say that they are discussing who will get the first turn. They claim that UML should get the first turn in the leadership of the government, but the Congress has also asked for the first turn. But now the discussion is going on only on theoretical issues," said a leader close to Deuba.

Congress Propaganda Department Chief Meen Vishwakarma said that the meeting between the two leaders has increased mutual trust and the dialogue will help to solve the problems seen in national politics. People are not satisfied with the work of the government. The ruling party is not unanimous on issues including the budget, UML and RSVP have opposed the budget. In the meantime, the meeting of the two top leaders concluded that the work of the government is not right," Vishwakarma said, "There is a history of UML and Congress getting along when the country is in crisis. Even now it is compatible. However, it has not gone as far as the decision to dismantle and rebuild the government.'

Oli and Congress president Deuba had a two-hour talk on Saturday at Oli's residence in Balkot. Deuba's wife Arju also participated in the conversation. Before that, Deuba and Oli met twice at a businessman's house. It has been claimed that the meeting has made a theoretical understanding to move forward on the issue of constitutional amendment and implementation of the constitution.

UMA Vice President Vishnu Paudel claims that the current power equation will not change. It is not a big deal to have a meeting between the Congress president and the UML president on contemporary issues. Such a meeting is appropriate and necessary," he said.

Leader Shekhar Koirala, General Minister Gagan Thapa and leader Minendra Rizal have been insisting on cooperation with UML since the beginning. Although he has mobilized leaders Gyanendra Bahadur Karki and Ramesh Akhtar as his allies, he himself is in dialogue with Oli on specific issues.

General Secretary Shankar Pokharel as Oli's confidant from UML is communicating with Congress leaders. "Deuba and Oli had a distrust of each other before, when the current alliance was on the bottom, under Article 76 (3) of the Constitution, Deuba was going to be the leader of a large party to become the prime minister, Deubaji was also asked whether UML would go ahead with Shekhar Koirala," a Congress member said. The official said, 'These mistrusts have to be overcome.' "Congress and UML are getting closer to create a new equation by reaching an agreement on the issue of constitutional amendment. We should reach an agreement to remove the difficulties in the implementation of the constitution and amend it where necessary, for that, a situation of coordination is now being formed between the two parties," Rizal said.

Although a new alliance was formed three months ago, the relationship between Prime Minister Dahal and UML President Oli has been cooling. Basically, the process of appointing the chairman of the Securities Board (Sebon) has also become a clash between the two leaders. The UML side alleges that Prime Minister Dahal did not allow three people close to him to go to the interview after the pressure to make the candidate put forward by Oli as the president increased. As per the procedure, the names of three people were to be sent, as only two participated in the interview, so the government canceled the appointment process itself. Referring to this, Oli said in a program on Sunday, 'I have also told the Prime Minister - let us not get involved in minor appointments, transfers, and promotions, let us go to the policy matter, let us go to the discussion.' Oli objected saying that it was appropriation. "Even in the constitution and the peace agreement, if the term 'people's war' is not accepted, and the word 'people's war' is used in the budget, the constitution has been overturned," Oli objected in the internal meeting. However, the original budget has been passed.

After learning that the dialogue between Deuba and Oli is increasing for a new equation, Dahal said in a public program on June 8 that his party's number of 32 seats is 'magical'. Similarly, to increase pressure on Deuba and Oli, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane has raised the issue of Bhutanese refugees again, and the top leaders of both parties have become suspicious. The government has arrested Bechan Jha and Prateik Thapa, son of UML leader Ram Bahadur Thapa, to re-investigate the Bhutanese refugee case. The leaders of both the parties claim that the government is using a strategy to target UML and Congress leaders instead of investigating them legally.

After the talks between Deuba and Oli on Saturday, there was a meeting between Prime Minister Dahal and Oli at Singhdabar on Sunday. After Dahal and Oli met for about half an hour, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Lamichhane also participated. After the meeting between Deuba and Oli, suspected Dahal had a conversation with Oli to clarify about it. But Oli said that the talks were for common courtesy. Congress leaders say that there was a meeting between Oli and Deuba on Sunday evening as well.

On the other hand, Congress leader Ramhari Khatiwada said that cooperation with UML is necessary for constitutional amendment and Congress is positive about it. The change of 2046 was made possible by the collaboration of Congress and UML. We agreed when the constitution was issued, we also implemented it together. Even to amend the constitution, big parties must come together," he said. "Even now, our party chairman is ready to discuss with all political parties and move forward. Congress is ready to move forward by collaborating with all parties including UML to change the overall disappointment seen in the present society into hope.'