By Our Reporter Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, while briefing the NC leaders, gave the clarification that he was unable to include the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in the common minimum programme due to the objection of Maoist Center leader Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda. Meanwhile, after knowing Prachanda’s mood, American ambassador Randy Berry called on Energy Minister Pampha Bhushal and urged for early endorsement of the MCC. Minister Bhushal had replied to the American envoy saying that it was the subject to be decided by the party. Prachanda seems bargaining with the US for a mass amnesty to those involved in violation of human rights during the conflict era. However, in the central committee meeting of the Maoist Center also, the American grant project was discussed. The United People’s Front, a partner in the present alliance, has warned that it would quit the alliance if the government plans to endorse MCC. Although the Deuba led government had signed the MCC grant project, it is difficult for Deuba to endorse the grant project from the House of Representatives as his communist partners are not eager to adopt the project. Reasons behind delayed cabinet expansion As the partner political parties in the present alliance government have not been able to manage their respective parties, the leaders are unable to finalise the list of the new ministers. Maoist Center chair Pushpakamal Dahal wants to stop Narayankaji Shrestha from becoming the minister. Therefore, he has consulted with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for not introducing the post of deputy prime minister. In the Janata Samajbadi Party also, Baburam Bhattarai wants to stop Upendra Yadav from joining the government. Bhattarai is also playing the role of not keeping the post of the DPM’s post in the present cabinet led by Deuba. Presently, there are 32 MPs in the Janata Samajbadi Party. Out of them, 10 MPs are sided with the Mahanta Thakur faction. Out of the remaining 20 MPs, all have shown interest to become the minister from JSP. Those who are not included in the cabinet may take the side of the Mahantha Thakur faction, making this faction strong in the party. Therefore, JSP is facing a big crisis while recommending the new ministers’ names from the party. Accordingly, Maoist Center chair Pushpakamal Dahal is facing a problem in selecting the names of the new minister representing the party. Therefore, he has decided to call the party central committee meeting and also the standing committee meeting with the plan of giving party responsibilities to the leaders. Only after the division of responsibilities in the party, Prachanda has planned to select the names of the ministers representing the party. Still, the Madhav Nepal faction is unable to take a decision on whether to split the party or stay within the UML. A section of leaders is interested to join the government even by splitting the party. Because of the indecision of the political parties in selecting the names of the new ministers, the cabinet expansion process has been delayed. Dahal-Nepal agreement to split UML Maoist Center chair Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda is meeting Madhav Kumar Nepal almost daily. Dahal is continuously provoking Nepal saying that there is no environment for him to stay with Oli. Therefore, Dahal is encouraging Nepal for splitting the party. An understanding has been developed among Dahal, Nepal and Deuba for ending the House session and issuance of an ordinance related to the split of the political parties. As per the plan, the Deuba government, the next day of ending the House session, has recommended issuing an ordinance by President Bidya Devi Bhandari. The ordinance is an amendment to the existing law related to the split of the party that has been developed aiming at UML’s split. The ordinance explains that by managing only 20 percent of the central committee members or the MPs, a party can split. Mahantha Thakur and Rajendra Mahato, who have been dismissed from all the party posts except the party’s general membership, are also waiting for such an ordinance to split JSP. Accordingly, Dahal has convinced Nepal for developing an election alliance by ensuring the election of those 22 MPs including Madhav Nepal in the upcoming general elections. When the present session of the House was abruptly ended on 16 August, UML chair K.P. Sharma Oli has become alert on the possible split of the UML. He has urged all the party workers not to split the party. After the recommendation of the ordinance by the government, the UML has decided to launch protest demonstrations against the ordinance. Deuba also interested to run the government through ordinances The alliance government led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has ended the House session through a cabinet decision, 16 August, though, the is a pile of bills impending in the House of Representatives for years. The MPs were complaining of not giving the business to them, in the meantime, the government has decided to end the House session to escape the House. The next day, on Tuesday, Deuba recommended to the President for issuing an ordinance related to the split of the political parties by making it comfortable for Madhav Nepal to split the UML party.