KATHMANDU, May 25: Even as Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal resigned on Wednesday, his party, the CPN (Maoist Center), looks set to remain a key partner in the ruling coalition led by the Nepali Congress (NC) until the parliamentary elections.
Dahal tendered his resignation to President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Wednesday, honoring an agreement reached between his party, CPN (Maoist Center), and NC in July last year to rotate the government leadership until the formation of local, provincial and central governments.
As a part of the deal, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba will become Nepal's next prime minister with support from the third largest party in parliament, according to Maoist Center Spokesperson Pampha Bhusal.
"Our party will remain a key coalition partner in Deuba's government as part of the deal," said Bhusal.
In his address to the nation on Wednesday, Dahal also hinted that his party would support NC President Deuba as the next prime minister. He expressed hopes that his stepping down would help restore faith on the local politics “devoid of honesty and integrity.”
"There are many instances where several written and unwritten agreements reached between political parties and leaders have been torn up into pieces overnight," Dahal said while addressing the nation from his office in Singha Durbar.
Dahal's resignation comes as a major shift in Nepal's politics where the peaceful transfer of power between coalition partners is considered rare.
With his resignation, Dahal has not only given a clear message that he still remains the kingmaker of power politics but also a leader who can be trusted.
NC and CPN (Maoist Center) leaders said the resignation, besides lifting Dahal's image, will shape the course of Nepali politics for the years to come. They raised the prospect of a long-term alliance between NC and CPN (Maoist Center) which have 207 and 82 seats in the 594-strong Legislature Parliament.
Issuing a statement shortly after Dahal's resignation, NC President Deuba hailed the decision saying it would strengthen the ties between the two parties and usher the country into an era of peace, stability and economic prosperity.
"I remain hopeful for a similar future cooperation between NC and Maoist Center as per the understanding and would like to reaffirm that NC would honor the agreements reached with other political parties," said Deuba.
Besides Maoist Center, several smaller parties including Madhesi parties are likely to be inducted in the new government. NC leaders said discussions were underway to bring Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Nepal Loktantrik Forum in the government.