CPN (MC), NC agree to run Gandaki govt in turns

By Arjun Kafle,Syangja, Apr. 17: The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) and Nepali Congress have decided to run the Gandaki Province government in turns.

The agreement was reached in the presence of CPN (Maoist Centre) chairman and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Nepali Congress (NC) president Sher Bahadur Deuba at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar on Sunday.

The agreement came when a month is about to pass since the CPN (Maoist Centre) withdraw its support to the current CPN-UML led government.

Alongside the party chiefs, NC general secretary Gagan Thapa, chief whip of CPN (Maoist) Hit Raj Pandey, NC Gandaki Parliamentary Party (PP) leader Surendra Pandey and CPN (MC) Gandaki PP leader Hari Bahadur Chuman were present in the meeting.

"Earlier, CPN (MC) had supported NC for the Chief Minister post. This time, CPN (MC) might lead the government first. It has the highest chance," said Chuman.

Chuman claimed that the two parties would take turns and the new government would be formed on April 24.

CPN (MC) had left the Gandaki Province government and withdrawn its support on March 24.

There are 27 members from NC, eight, including the Speaker, from CPN (Maoist), and one from CPN (Unified Socialist) at the provincial assembly. With 35 total members, the new government shall be formed with a majority.