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Kathmandu:  For the first time after the Nepali Congress-led five-party ruling coalition fell like a house of cards despite garnering a majority in November 20 federal and provincial elections, the party organized a press conference in Kathmandu, on Wednesday. Helming the conference was none other than party Spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat. While whodunit over the collapse of the erstwhile coalition continues, Mahat tried to wash his party’s hands of the debacle. Instead, he accused CPN (Maoist Center) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal of betrayal that caused the collapse of the NC-led ruling alliance and made way for a new ruling alliance.   The NC did not get enough time to hold talks with Maoist Chair ‘Prachanda’ for giving continuity to the pre-poll alliance under the latter’s leadership, Mahat maintained. While talks on continuing with the erstwhile coalition were underway, Prachanda joined forces with the CPN-UML at the last minute, he noted and objected to the move. Mahat had an answer for those wondering as to what his party was doing after the debacle. “We are assessing the impact of this switching of sides,” he said.  The leader hastened to add that NC was not trying to cobble together a coalition for returning to power. Further, the NC leader said: The current coalition consists of monarchists and anti-monarchists, federalists and anti-federalists, glued together for positions of power. This coalition may come crumbling under its own weight, Mahat forecasted. Talking about his party’s future plans, Mahat offered a glimmer of hope, saying: The Congress will play the role of a strong opposition.  Easier said than done, but here’s hoping that the party will walk the talk. After all, hope springs eternal even during a grim winter like this, doesn’t it?

CPN (Unified Socialist) chairperson Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that the party will not rush to take the decision about joining the government. As Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal prepares to seek the vote of confidence on Jan 10, Nepal is under pressure to make a decision.

PM Dahal on Wednesday urged Nepal to support the government. Nepal, however, said his party has not taken any decision on the issue. The party views the political situation as foggy and is not in a hurry to make a decision. We will wait for the policies and program of the government and decide, Nepal said.

The party has failed to emerge as a national party but has 10 members in the Parliament. Nepal is reportedly unhappy that Dahal joined hands with CPN-UML to form the government. The UML is Nepal's former party, which he left after falling out with its Chairman KP Oli. Dahal has expedited talks with parties to win the floor test, and it is important for him that Nepal's party is behind him.

The Office of the Sudurpaschim Province Chief today called on the parties representing in the Province Assembly to stake claim for the post of Chief Minister and the provincial government. The Province Chief's call comes as no single party in the Assembly holds a majority to form the government in accordance with Article 168 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal and the support of two or more parties is required for this purpose. The support of 27 members of the Province Assembly is required to form the government. The Province Chief has given the deadline of 5 pm on January 11 to the parties to stake claim for government formation and to appoint the Chief Minister with the support of two or more parties representing in the Province Assembly. The Nepali Congress has 19 seats, the CPN (Maoist Centre) 11, the CPN-UML 10, the Nagarik Unmukti Party seven, the CPN (Unified Socialist) four, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) one seat and one independent in the 53-member Sudurpaschim Province Assembly.

European Union Ambassador to Nepal Nona Deprez paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday. During the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, the two discussed matters of mutual interests, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Likewise, Swiss Ambassador to Nepal Elisabeth von Capeller called on the Prime Minister today itself. On the occasion, they discussed relations between Nepal and Switzerland.