Second-placed UML knows it doesn’t have the political stature or legal backing to head the next government. And since the party has privately ceded Singha Darbar to the Nepali Congress, its leaders Jhalanath Khanal, Madhav Kumar Nepal, and KP Oli seem to be eyeing Shital Niwas. According to them, if the NC is allowed to keep both offices, it will violate the principle of separation of powers. The UML is also claiming that the mandate of 19 November elections merits change from the top.

Not surprisingly, the office of the president is now being dragged into power-sharing negotiations. But while the gates of Baluwatar have opened up for Sushil Koirala, presidential hopefuls from the UML should not get too excited.

Article 36 of the interim constitution stipulates that the president can stay in power until a new constitution is drafted. The Congress is using this clause to negate the UML’s claim to presidency. If President Ram Baran Yadav does not resign of his own accord, the Constituent Assembly can only remove him by accusing him, through a bill, of grave wrongdoing. For this, the UML will require a two-thirds majority. But since smaller parties don’t stand much to gain, they are unlikely to support this move. For his part, Yadav would like the constitution to be completed under his tenure so that he can leave a lasting legacy.

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