A new power-sharing deal among the “new and alternative” political forces and parties is in its final stage, paving the way for a new political polarisation in the country in elections scheduled for March 5.

The initiative taken by these forces is expected to be finalised by Saturday, while negotiations will continue after that to sort out remaining issues, according to leaders involved in talks. The deal may pose a serious challenge to the dominance of traditional parties like the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and Nepali Communist Party—with the results seen in upcoming snap parliamentary elections, and later in provincial and local polls.

The alignment among the “new and alternative” political forces started gaining momentum after Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen (Balendra) Shah held political meetings with senior leaders of the “new and alternative” political parties, individuals from different walks of life, representatives of the Gen Z, for three days.

Mayor Shah held several rounds of talks with Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chief Rabi Lamichhane and his team. The RSP has emerged as a major alternative force in Nepali politics over the past three years.

Interlocutors from both the RSP and Shah’s side told the Post that intense discussions continue, even though there has been no conclusion as yet. “We will probably reach some understanding by Saturday,” Shishir Khanal, who is negotiating from the RSP side, said. “We are busy sorting out technical details.”

As of Friday evening, the two sides were discussing a proposal to split candidacies and other party structures on a 50-50 basis. But there is a point of disagreement—who will give up the share to be allocated to the Ujyalo Nepal Party, backed by Energy Minister Kulman Ghising.

As of now, a power-sharing deal is being negotiated only between the RSP and Mayor Shah’s team. Once the two sides reach a deal, both Lamichhane and Shah will sit with Ghising. Who will bear the portion to be given to the Ujyalo Nepal is also a major issue we are confronting now, interlocutors from both sides told the Post.

But according to Anup Kumar Upadhyay, the chair of the Ujyalo Nepal,

“We have not been informed about the meetings.”

From Friday morning, there were marathon meetings between Khanal and Asim Shah from the RSP, and Kumar Ben and Bhupdev Shah representing Mayor Shah’s team.

In the negotiations, the interlocutors from the two sides are finding it difficult to decide how to manage the second- and third-tier leaders, an interlocutor from Shah’s team told the Post. The source also said many new faces trying to join the emerging front have added to the difficulty of negotiations.

On Friday, former UML lawmaker Nawaraj Silwal reached the place where the negotiation teams were talking. Such leaders and individuals are also causing disturbances, one interlocutor said.

However, a knowledgeable source told the Post that no agreement had been reached by late Friday. One leader said, “There will be talks again tomorrow [Saturday], and only after that will Lamichhane and Shah sit together.”

As of Friday, the two sides have agreed to contest the elections under the banner of the RSP, and Shah will be made the party’s co-chair. His name will be proposed as prime minister during the next election, interlocutors said. But the most difficult part in the negotiations is the power-sharing deal between them and how to adjust the Ujyalo Nepal and others interested to join the new political front.

Khanal claimed that the discussions held so far have been positive. In the afternoon, leaders from the two sides had prepared an initial draft, but they were unable to finalise it.

According to the agreement reached so far, Lamichhane would continue as chair of the RSP, and after the upcoming election, Mayor Shah would be proposed as the party’s candidate for prime minister. Chairperson Lamichhane has also agreed to this. However, several other issues remain to be settled.