“We are always in favor of forming national consensus government,” Maoist Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said . “We are ready to hold open discussion on the option of withdrawing candidacy of prime minister.”[break]
Talking to media persons after the meeting with the Maoists at Singha Durbar, UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal said they asked the Maoists to withdraw the candidacy for the prime minister to pave the way for the formation of national consensus government.[break]
Shrestha said they have asked the UML to convince Nepali Congress about the matter. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and NC Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel are in the fray for prime minister.
The meeting was held a day after the UML decided to stay neutral in the fifth round of voting for prime minister slated for August 18.
While Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Vice Chairmen trio Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Mohan Baidya and Narayan Kaji Shrestha and General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa participated in the meeting on behalf of the Maoist, UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel, Bisnu Poudel, Ram Chandra Jha, among other leaders, participated.
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