FSF-N, ruling coalition talks on hold; may resume after PM's India visit

KATHMANDU: Talks between Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal (FSF-N) and the ruling coalition have been stalled since the March 16 Cabinet expansion.

Dialogue between the left alliance and the FSF-N are currently on hold due to busy schedules of both the leaders of the left-alliance and the FSF-N Chair, said Mahesh Chaurasiya, FSF-N Chair Upendra Yadav's press coordinator.

However, it is just the dialogues that have been stalled, the prospect of FSF-N joining the government still remains, added Chaurasiya. "It is likely that talks will resume once the Prime Minister returns from his official visit to India and there may be further discussions on the future course of action."

"The party's stand on constitution amendment remains unchanged," he stated further.

It was expected that Prime Minister KP Oli would incorporate lawmakers from FSF-N in the last cabinet expansion, also supposed to be the final, in a bid to secure two-thirds majority. However, there has been no development in that front, owing to several reasons such as the Forum Nepal not being able to decide on the names of lawmakers that would represent the party in the government, power/portfolio-sharing and the ruling coalition's hesitance in agreeing to a written agreement on amendment clause.