Pushpa Kamal Dahal, coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party (नेकपा), called for extending the political cooperation with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML) in provincial governments to the upcoming local elections. He made the remarks on Saturday at a program in Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchok district, according to Online Khabar and Nagarik News.
Dahal emphasized that the collaboration should not be limited to government operations but should be politically and ideologically strengthened, including through parliamentary debates and electoral alliances. “This cooperation should not only be in the provincial governments but also strengthened in future parliamentary debates and up to the elections,” Dahal stated. He also stressed the need to prioritize organizational expansion in line with the changing political landscape and urged party leaders and cadres to effectively utilize available human resources, organization, and capacity through information technology.
The Nepali Communist Party (नेकपा) was formed on Kartik 19, 2082 (BS), through the merger of ten leftist parties and groups, including the CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist). Dahal serves as its coordinator. The cooperation between CPN-UML and the Nepali Communist Party (नेकपा) in provincial governments began after the Falgun 2083 (BS) elections, where both parties experienced a decline in public support. This alliance followed extensive discussions between CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Dahal on Jeth 31, 2083 (BS), where Oli had proposed immediate functional unity. A three-point agreement for provincial alliances was reached in Saun 2083 (BS), stipulating that CPN-UML would lead Koshi, Bagmati, and Lumbini provinces, while the Nepali Communist Party (नेकपा) would lead Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces. Some leaders view this ongoing cooperation as a potential starting point for broader party unity.
The Election Commission is preparing to hold local level elections by Falgun 2083 (BS), two months before the term of current local representatives expires, according to Kantipur. Separately, on Ashoj 15, 2083 (BS), Dahal commented that the government was not moving in the right direction, as reported by Prashasan and Reporters Nepal. The Nepali Communist Party (नेकपा)’s federal parliamentary party also decided on Ashoj 15, 2083 (BS), to take effective initiatives for relief, rescue, and reconstruction in natural disasters, according to Nepal Bahas and Ratopati.
It remains unclear what the formal response of CPN-UML is to Dahal’s proposal to extend the cooperation to the local elections. Further details on the specific modalities and implementation status of the CPN-UML-Nepali Communist Party (नेकपा) provincial cooperation are also unavailable. While the Election Commission is preparing for local elections by Falgun 2083 (BS), the government has not yet officially announced the date. Additionally, the extent of internal consensus or dissent within both the Nepali Communist Party (नेकपा) and CPN-UML regarding this extended cooperation is not yet known.
