The CPN-UML is preparing to pull out of the Koshi government after Chief Minister Kedar Karki inducted ministers from the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the CPN (Unified Socialist) to expand his Cabinet, ignoring the UML’s concerns.

The largest party in the Koshi provincial assembly, which had supported Karki in forming the government, was strictly against the induction of ministers from the two communist parties in the province. It wanted only the Congress and the UML in the provincial government.

“We take a serious exception to the chief minister’s move. He has breached his commitment that only two parties will be in the government,” Rewati Raman Bhandari, the UML’s chief whip in the Koshi Provincial Assembly, told the Post. “Our party will make an official decision [to pull out of the government] on Monday.” On Friday, Karki appointed ministers from the Maoist Centre and the Unified Socialist.

Karki, a provincial assembly member from the dissident faction of the Nepali Congress, became chief minister of the Koshi Province on October 14 with the UML’s backing. He took the oath the next day, and inducted two ministers without portfolio—Ram Bahadur Rana Magar of the UML and Shamser Rai from his faction of the Congress.

Though his Congress party supported Indra Bahadur Angbo of the Maoist Centre in his chief ministerial bid, eight provincial assembly members from the Congress in the country’s eastern province had decided to form a government led by Karki, with UML’s support, opposing the party’s official decision.

While 21 members from the party supported Angbo as per the decision of the Congress top brass, eight close to dissident Congress leader Shekhar Koirala refused to oblige. Karki became chief minister with support from 39 lawmakers from the UML in the 93-strong provincial assembly.

“We fail to understand why Karki is so desperate to induct ministers from the parties that rejected him in his chief ministerial race,” said Bhandari. Karki, however, has been arguing that he wants to form a consensus government by inducting ministers from the parties that are in a coalition in the federal government.

The Maoist Centre, the Congress, the Unified Socialist and the Janata Samajbadi Party, among others, are coalition partners at the federal level. Karki was under pressure from his party leadership to form a coalition of the same parties in the province as well.

With 40 seats, the UML is the largest party in the assembly. The Congress has 29 seats, the CPN (Maoist Centre) 12, the RPP six, the CPN (Unified Socialist) four, and the Janata Samajbadi Party has one seat.

A minister in the Karki cabinet said it was former chief minister Hikmat Karki, of the UML, who advocated strongly for a consensus coalition while he was leading the government. “He [Hikmat Karki] tried to form a consensus government, but couldn’t. We are now making his dream a reality. The UML should actually be thanking rather than criticising us,” minister Rai told the Post.

Karki was appointed chief minister as per Article 168(5) of the constitution after he laid claim to lead a new government by producing signatures of 47 lawmakers, which is a majority in the 93-member provincial assembly, before the provincial head. Withdrawal of the UML’s support can push the government into minority. Karki will have to go for a floor test again if the UML opts out, as per the constitution.

Article 188 (2) of the constitution says in case the political party which the chief minister represents is divided or a political party in coalition provincial government withdraws its support, the chief minister shall table a motion in the Provincial Assembly for a vote of confidence within 30 days.

As Karki’s ruling coalition was formed using the last constitutional resort, his failure to secure the provincial assembly’s confidence would mean the province is bound for a snap election. As per Article 168 (7) of the constitution, if the chief minister appointed as per Article 168 (5) fails to secure a vote of confidence, the head of the province, on the recommendation of the chief minister, will dissolve the provincial assembly and fix a date for an election to be held sometime in the next six months.

Rai, the minister, said he doesn’t believe that UML will take any steps that will lead to a snap poll. “The UML, on several occasions, has reiterated that it is against midterm elections. I therefore don’t think it will exit the government,” he further said. “Even if it pulls out, it will not withdraw its support, thereby forestalling the prospect of snap elections.”