UML and NCP set basis for ministry distribution in provincial government

KATHMANDU:- A proposed basis for the allocation of ministries has been determined to implement the three-point agreement reached between the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) and the Communist Party of Nepal (NCP) regarding cooperation in provincial governments.

A statement signed by UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and NCP Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ indicates that the number of seats held by each party in the respective provincial assembly will generally serve as the primary basis for the formation of provincial governments.

It has been proposed that the allocation of ministerial portfolios be based primarily on the proportional strength of the parties in the Provincial Assembly. The distribution of the Chief Minister and Speaker positions is also to be factored into the balance of power.

A system of alternating priority for portfolio selection has been proposed. Under this arrangement, the party not holding the Chief Ministership would select the first ministry, while the party holding the Chief Ministership would select the second.

The two parties have stated that the allocation of all ministries will be carried out by repeating this process in turn. An agreement regarding the leadership of the provincial governments had been reached at the top level between the two parties on the 9th of Shrawan, (july 25).