KATHMANDU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), a key coalition partner of the incumbent Nepali Congress-led government, has recalled its 16 ministers including seven state ministers from the government, on Friday.

The party's decision to recall its ministers has come some three months after the prime minister stripped off their portfolios after the two left-wing parties, namely the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) and the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist) forged electoral alliance in October last year with the goal of ultimate merger.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, on Friday, the party expressed dissatisfaction over the prime minister's unwillingness to swiftly hand over power to the left alliance even several weeks after the conclusion of the Federal Parliament and Provincial Assembly elections held last year.

"Our presence in the government was essential to ensure that all the elections are held on time. Today onwards we are no longer in the power. We expect that the government will facilitate in the smooth handover of the power as per the people's mandate," the Maoist party said in the letter submitted to the prime minister.

The Maoist party, which emerged as the third largest party of the country in the recent elections, has also intensified negotiations to merge with the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist) and launch a new communist party in the Himalayan nation.

The new government is expected to be formed shortly after the holding of the National Assembly Elections on February 7, which is also known as the Upper House of the Parliament.