The CPN-UML has reiterated that it will not join a Nepali Congress-led government unless the ruling party proposes a dignified power-sharing model. 

The response from the second largest party in the Constituent Assembly (CA) and would-be partner of the Congress government comes following frequent requests from Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to join the government in order to deliver the constitution within a year. 

“We do not want to join the government as the helper of Congress. If the NC thinks of us like that we won't join the government,” said UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel. 

Pokharel has demanded the NC offer the UML the Home Ministry portfolio without further delay. He claimed the NC agreed to allocate the Home Ministry portfolio to the UML before Koirala was elected PM, though Congress betrayed them by failing to honour the 'gentleman's understanding'. 

The UML has also attacked the Congress's argument that the prime ministerial system will be weakened if key ministerial portfolios were not allocated to the PM's party. “The PM himself chairs the Cabinet and he has the authority to decide each issue. Instead, the government will be weak if it does not treat coalition partners appropriately,” said Pokharel.

PM Koirala, who has not yet appointed ministers due to differences with the UML is planning to expand Cabinet by Friday. 

UML insiders say the party will not join the government unless the Home Ministry portfolio is allocated to its Vice-chairman Bam Dev Gautam as informally agreed before electing Koirala as head of the government. “Our party has no issue in having Gautam as the DPM with the Home Ministry portfolio. And, we will stay out of government unless Congress agrees on it,” said UML Secretary Shankar Pokharel. 

Some senior UML leaders, including Madhav Kumar Nepal, are said to be against Gautam's candidacy for the positions. They have been accused of clearing the way for the appointment of Secretary Bishnu Poudel instead of Gautam and advising the NC of their plans.  

A section of leaders within the UML have suggested the party leadership continue support for the government for a honeymoon period (90 days), after which they may take fresh initiatives for its replacement. “We will support the government by staying out of it for at least three months. Then, a new course will be initiated for a new government,” said Pradeep Gyawali. 

Convention Date Deferred 

Postponing the General Convention for the second time, the UML Secretariat has proposed a new convention date of May 17. 

The new date was proposed after concluding that it was not possible to hold the General Convention in mid-April due to time constraints. The party's Central Commi-ttee meeting taking place on Saturday will make a final decision over the proposal.