Speaking at an interaction organized by Reporters´ Club at his residence on Sunday, Koirala said Dahal asked the him to take the UML into confidence to form a new government. He said that the Maoists were ready to stay in the opposition. [break]
"During a meeting with Ram Chandra Paudel, Dahal has personally said that the Maoists would not have any objection to Paudel´s premiership. They said they are ready to stay in opposition," he said. "It is yet to be seen whether they will allow this to happen."
Koirala´s revelation comes at a time when Ram Chandra Paudel is the only candidate in the prime ministerial election. He has failed to secure majority in parliament as all other parties including the UML and Madhes-based parties have stayed neutral in all rounds of voting.
President Koirala also said the Maoists were the ones who created obstacle to the peace process and constitution drafting process. He expressed dissatisfaction over Maoist chairman Dahal´s warning that the Maoists would turn colleges and universities into barracks should there be any conspiracy against peace process and constitution-writing process.
President Koirala also said that there was no dispute within the party over his nomination proposal for vice president and general secretary. He said that media had unnecessary exaggerated the news.
When journalists asked him when would he call the CWC meeting, Koirala said he is currently holding consultations with CWC members. The CWC meeting was put off indefinitely last Friday after CWC stood sharply divided over Koirala´s nomination proposal.
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