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Opposition Nepali Congress claims it will form next government

South Asia Monitor/IBNS | @justearthnews | 20 Mar 2021

Opposition Nepali Congress claims it will form next government

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Kathmandu: Nepali Congress (NC), the main opposition party in Nepal, has claimed that the party would lead the next government with support from other opposition parties, reported the Himalayan Times.

Opposition parties in Nepal along with the CPN-MC, lead by Dahal, have long been discussing plans to form an alliance to dislodge Prime Minister Oli’s government. On Friday, Dr. Shashanka Koirala, the NC general-secretary, has claimed to lead the next government in the country.

"NC will lead the alliance and form the new government after Maoist Centre and Janata Samajwadi Party reach a conclusion to form the new government," he was quoted as saying by the Himalayan Times.

The CPN-MC, led by Oli’s rival Dahal, is still in the government. The party would likely withdraw its support once opposition parties form a consensus on the future alliance. However, the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), a key opposition party, which has emerged as a kingmaker, has reportedly been in touch with both camps: the Oli camp and the anti-Oli camp.

Dahal has already ruled himself out of the prime ministerial post. The unreliability of the JSP seems the only reason why the opposition parties are yet to bring a no-confidence motion against the Oli government.

According to a report in the Kathmandu Post, a section of leaders in the JSP is supportive of backing Oli if they receive a better offer from him. While others believe in supporting NC.

The JSP has 32 MPs while the Oli government would need just 16 votes in case the Dahal-led CPN-MC withdraws its support.