Laxmi Capital News
Uncertainty remains over formation of a new government

Uncertainty continues over the formation of a newgovernment as incumbent Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba appears determined tostay in office at least until the election of the upper house of parliament. 

A coalition of  leftist parties is expectedto form the new government following their  historic win in theparliamentary and provincial assembly elections. But it is still unclear whenthis will happen. 

The ruling Nepali Congress (NC) has said that thetransfer of power would take place after  the election of the upper house,now scheduled for February 7.  The government has also announced that itis going to fix the interim capitals of the seven provinces and appoint theprovincial governors before it steps down. 

Once the date for the National Assembly electionwas announced, many had hoped that  would pave the way for the formationof a new government before the end of February.  But the ongoing delay inannouncing the provincial capitals and governors has raised fresh doubts overthe government's intentions. 

"The government is  citing one excuseafter another  to remain in office. It is undermining the people'sverdict," said Maoist spokesperson Pampha Bhusal. 

Despite its announcement that it was to appointthe governors last week, it has not done so, citing a lack of politicalconsensus. NC leaders said that the government is seeking a guarantee that thenewly appointed heads of  provinces would not be sent packing after theformation of the new government at the center.  Some UML leaders have saidthat they will replace the governors with new faces. 

Prime Minister Deuba on Sunday said that he wouldhand over the government once the necessary procedures and steps are completed.He said he is in talks with leaders of the major parties to sort outdifferences over the choice of governors and interim capitals and that he wouldhand over the reins of government once the  election results are out infull. 

The Election Commission has not yet released theproportional representation results for the parliamentary polls. 

Even as some remain doubtful, some others haveexpressed hope that the government would hand over power after the completionof the National Assembly elections. 

"There should be a new government in thecountry within one month," UML senior leader Jhal Nath Khanal said whileaddressing a function on Monday. 

Notwithstanding all the hue and cry however, thisis not the first time an outgoing government has delayed the handover of power.Past governments including the ones led by the late Girja Prasad Koirala,Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Sharma Oli had clung to office even weeks after theyhad lost the popular mandate. 

Source: My Repubica, 16th January 2018

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