Clash of opinions in SPA, Nepal Cabinet to be formed today

Showing signs that differences could crop up between between seven party alliance leaders within days of the reinstatement of parliament

Showing signs that differences could crop up between between seven party alliance (SPA) leaders within days of the reinstatement of parliament, as the alliance failed to announce a Cabinet as they met at Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s house on Monday. But sources in the SPA said they had managed to reach an agreement on the issue and an announcement was likely on Tuesday

One leader claimed these were no more than ‘ideological points’ that needed to be clarified while another, who attended the deliberations, said under the circumstances he could only hope the issues would be sorted out by Tuesday to enable the new ministers to take oath and begin work on the people’s mandate. Sources said there would be between 17 to 20 ministers in the Koirala government but the details were still being finalised on Monday.

Both leaders pointed out that with supporters of the monarchy watching from the wings, this was not the best way to begin the process of ushering multi-party democracy and squarely blamed Koirala’s Nepali Congress for complicating issues. In case the Maoists entered the democratic process, disputes were likely to take place on many more ‘ideological points’.

The meetings began on Sunday but talks on the composition of the new ministry came to a standstill when the question of the status of Nepali Congress (Democracy) arose, which had split from the Nepali Congress.

An NC(D) leader said it had been agreed before the people’s movement arose that questions would not be raised on the constitutional legality of the party. ‘‘We expected Girijababu and his party to be magnanimous on the subject of our constitutional position and not bring it up at such a crucial time. But when it came up, we resisted,’’ he added.

The differences continued on Monday where the matters were reportedly sorted out between two parties. But another issue cropped up—where would the new ministers take oath.

The CPN(UML) said King Gyanendra’s role had ended after he had reinstated parliament and ministers should take oath at the Singha Darbar. Another CPN(UML) leader who is likely to be a minister said, ‘‘The people want revolutionary change. At such a time to have an agreement with the Darbar is very dangerous.’’ The party’s standing committee later decided that ministers would only take their oath of office “before the people”.

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A senior NC leader conceded the SPA was divided on the swearing in issue unanimity was also lacking on the issue of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, now being chaired by Deputy Speaker Chitralekha Yadav.