The Nepali Congress is preparing to end its power-sharing arrangement with the CPN-UML in all seven provinces after the party leadership determined that the alliance is no longer sustainable, although no formal decision has been announced, according to party sources.

According to party sources, the Congress leadership has concluded that continuing the partnership with the UML is no longer viable. A senior Congress leader said two major issues prompted the decision: differences over the two parties’ approaches towards last year’s Gen Z protests and dissatisfaction with the UML’s conduct in provincial governments.

The Congress is preparing to recall its ministers from all provincial governments, according to sources. The party will then decide its next move based on an understanding with Nepali Communist Party (NCP) coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

If an agreement is reached between the two parties, the Congress will join provincial governments in alliance with the NCP. If talks fail, the party is considering remaining in opposition in the provinces, similar to its position at the federal level.

The issue was discussed during a meeting between Congress president Gagan Thapa and NCP coordinator Dahal on Tuesday.

According to sources, the two leaders discussed the future of provincial governments and possible new power-sharing arrangements in the provinces. However, the Congress has not made any formal announcement on ending its alliance with the UML or forming a new coalition. Dialogue between senior leaders of both parties is still underway, sources said.

Congress vice president Bishwa Prakash Sharma said the party wanted to move away from what he described as an uncomfortable partnership with the UML.

“We want to come out of this uneasy partnership with the UML,” Sharma said.