Three opposition and one ruling parties on Wednesday came together to discuss the latest political situation as well as the functioning of the central and provincial governments.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba invited Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, whose party is in the federal government, to his residence in Budhanilkantha to discuss the politics in Madhesh.

Nepal’s participation in the meeting is viewed in light of his dissatisfaction as a coalition partner in Singha Durbar, which the opposition parties could exploit to weaken the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government in the future. Leaders called it a meeting of like-minded political parties.

Saroj Yadav of Janata Samajbadi Party is the current chief minister of Madhesh. He lost the majority in the assembly after the CPN-UML, the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the Janamat Party withdrew their support recently. Since Yadav is soon seeking a vote of confidence, the three opposition parties on Wednesday sought the Unified Socialist’s support for the continuation of his government.

“We agreed to foil attempts by the ruling parties [in Kathmandu] to oust the Madhesh government,” said Metmani Chaudhary of the Unified Socialist. “We will extend our support to the Yadav-led government.”

If the Congress, the JSP-Nepal, the Unified Socialist and the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party come together, they jointly command a majority in the 107-strong provincial assembly. These parties together have 56 votes, more than the simple majority mark of 54.

At the meeting, according to a leader, Unified Socialist chief Nepal expressed his frustration at the Dahal government, the prime minister’s approach, and the attitude of UML chief KP Sharma Oli for sidelining his party despite it having two ministers in the government.

“In addition to exploring an alternative to the Madhesh government, we also discussed the overall national politics,” said Sharat Singh Bhandari, a Loktantrik Samajbadi Party leader.

According to the leaders, they also discussed the possible political scenario if the Supreme Court invalidates the Election Commission’s decision to register the Janata Samajbadi Party, which was formed by a group led by Ashok Rai by splitting Upendra Yadav’s Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal. Yadav has challenged the commission’s decision in court. If the Supreme Court invalidates the decision, according to the party leaders, the present Dahal—government might face a crisis followed by Unified Socialists withdrawing support from the government.

Such discussion will continue in the future too, said Bhandrai.

According to a Nepali Congress leader, Nepal had assured Deuba that he will get back to him after an internal discussion in the party.

“We are united and have come together to safeguard the current Madhesh government,” said JSP chair Yadav, adding, “We have received a positive response.”

Meanwhile, Nepal at the meeting said his party was not informed when the UML and the Maoist Centre withdrew their support from the current Madhesh government, which is why his party was free to make an independent decision.

Chief Minister Yadav is all set to seek a vote of confidence probably on June 5.