Senior Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala’s marathon meeting with CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday, followed by his consultation with former President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Friday, has piqued a concern in political circles.

Koirala’s back to back meetings with the two prominent leaders come at a time when public frustration with the government is mounting.

Some even see the move as Koirala’s attempt to create an alternative alliance against the present coalition led by KP Sharma Oli. The Congress factional leader, however, denied the allegation.

“My meetings with both Dahal and Bhandari do not aim to create a new political alliance but someone should undoubtedly show both Deuba and Oli that things are not going in the right direction,” Koirala told the Post.

The coalition government, formed a year ago on the basis of a seven-point agreement between Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML Chairman Oli, faces growing public ire.

Koirala said that he wants to sensitise the political leadership on the need for some serious and urgent intervention.

“My meetings with leaders yesterday and today, and probably later too, are directed against corruption and for establishing good governance,” Koirala told the Post.

But during the meeting with Dahal, the possibility of forming a new government was also discussed. Dahal reportedly advised Koirala to become the next prime minister and assured his full cooperation. Koirala is learned to have responded that “it’s not that simple”.

As per the Nepali Congress charter, only the parliamentary leader of the party can become its prime ministerial candidate but Koirala lacks enough votes to unseat Deuba as the parliamentary party leader.

Deuba enjoys the support of majority Congress lawmakers. Therefore, it is difficult for Koirala to beat Deuba. On the other hand, Deuba is poised to become the prime minister after one year.

Oli and Deuba have agreed to split the prime ministerial tenure between them. Prime Minister Oli says he will hand over the reins to Deuba after a year.

However, if Koirala wants to replace Deuba, he needs to forge an alliance with Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa.

Koirala has intensified his meetings with leaders from other parties at a time when the government is losing the support of fringe parties that backed the Congress-UML coalition in the past year.

The Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal (JSP-Nepal) has already withdrawn its support to the government while another ruling partner, Nagarik Unmukti Party, might do so anytime.

Opposition parties such as the Maoist Centre, the Rastriya Swatantra Party, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party are waiting for an opportune time to form an alternative to the Oli-Deuba alliance.

But due to the grip of Oli and Deuba on their respective parties, any alternative to the present government seems difficult to come by, said a Congress leader.

“If Koirala can create such an environment inside and outside the party, numbers will not matter but the key question is how other parties will support and how they can jointly break the alliance between Oli and Deuba,” the Congress leader adds.

Nonetheless, Koirala’s move has sowed suspicions inside both Congress and UML parties, a leader close to Koirala said. His meeting with Bhandari is of particular concern for both parties.

Bhandari, already back in her old party UML, is at the centre of debate and deliberations within and outside the party. But Koirala suggested that she should not join party politics because her stature does not permit that. Congress President Deuba and other leaders have also expressed concerns and reservations over the former head of state’s return to party politics.

Koirala reportedly suggested that Dahal take a tough position against rising cases of corruption and malgovernance in Parliament and on the streets.

Koirala said that in meetings with both leaders, the conversation focused on contemporary political issues and the need for good governance.

With Dahal and Bhandari, Koirala had sought solidarity for good governance and an anti-corruption campaign. Bhandari, who aspires to become the UML chair, reportedly sought Koirala’s moral support to her bid.

Expressing concern over growing public frustration, Koirala urged former President Bhandari to speak out on the issue as well. “I have been consistently speaking for good governance. The people are deeply disheartened,” a member of Koirala’s secretariat quoted him as saying. “You must also speak up.”

Bhandari is learnt to have extended her full support to the cause of establishing good governance in the country.

“There is no sign of good governance in the current state. You have initiated this campaign, and I will always support it,” the member quoted Bhandari as saying.

Koirala argued that it would have been better if someone having held the presidency remained outside of active politics, but he would support Bhandari’s personal decision.

“I still maintain that someone who has served as the head of state should not return to politics,” Koirala said. “But if you have already made the decision, there is no point objecting at this moment.”

On Thursday, while meeting Dahal, Koirala also voiced dissatisfaction at the government's performance. Both leaders concluded that the government had failed to honour public sentiment.

Dahal and Koirala expressed concern that, over the course of a year, the government had only contributed to the spread of corruption and malpractices. They agreed to raise their voices against the wrongdoings under the watch of the current administration.

“The government has not been able to perform well. Instead of raising hope, it has increased disappointment,” said an aide to Koirala. Corruption and disorder have increased, and many of the government’s decisions have been problematic, as per their assessment.

“Apart from the issue of growing disorder in the country and the need to uphold good governance, no other matters were discussed. This is not an attempt to corner the government or the party president,” said a source close to Koirala.

“Koirala is well aware of the fact that he needs Deuba’s support to become the party president from the upcoming general convention so he is carefully weighing his options and alternatives.”

Since the Congress charter does not allow Deuba to contest the party presidency for a third term, Koirala is eying that position.

“He does not want to anger Deuba but wants to put him under pressure,” the Congress leader said. “Such moves also show that Koirala is playing the role of opposition against the government as well as the party leadership. This will expand his support base inside the party.”