During a Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held at the party´s headquarters in Sanepa, Koirala argued that it was too early to pick a prime ministerial candidate as the party is yet to talk to other parties in this regard. [break]
“Nepali Congress has its own statute and system to name a prime ministerial candidate,” a CWC member quoted Koirala as saying during the meeting.
Koirala had asked CWC members not to debate over the prime ministerial candidate at this juncture. “We will take a decision when the time comes.”
Though Poudel said that he would respect the decision of the acting party president, party sources said Koirala´s decision has apparently miffed leaders supporting the PP leader. They had been pressing Koirala to finalize Poudel as the prime ministerial candidate from the party.
Earlier, leaders supporting Poudel had argued that the PP leader should be the sole prime ministerial candidate as per the parliamentary party statute, while leaders close to senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba dismissed the idea stating that the eight-member parliamentary party board should decide the issue.
Leaders supporting Deuba also argued that a candidate garnering support from other parties should get to head the new government as it was going to be a coalition.
According to CWC member Binaya Dhwaj Chand, Koirala said that the views expressed by CWC members during the meeting had given new direction to the party. He argued that NC should first talk to other parties to forge national consensus for the formation of the new government under NC´s leadership.
Koirala had said that party should first decide whether to form national consensus government. Whether or not to form majority government under the party is something to be decided later, he said.
PM asks NC leaders to look for his alternative
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has reiterated that he intends to resign any time soon.
During a meeting with Nepali Congress (NC) leaders at his residence in Baluwatar Sunday morning, Prime Minister Nepal asked the NC leadership to find his alternative at the earliest. “Find my alternatives at the earliest,” a NC leader quoted Prime Minister as saying. “I have no intention of prolonging my stay in power.”
Senior NC leaders including Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel and General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi had reached the prime minister´s office on Sunday morning to apprise the PM Nepal about the party´s decision to expedite talks with other parties for the formation of national consensus government under NC´s leadership.
NC leaders said they also asked the prime minister to give continuity to his regular works including the preparation of the plans and policies and budget for the new fiscal.
Koirala to leave for US today
Nepali Congress (NC) Acting President Sushil Koirala is leaving for US on Monday for a follow-up treatment.
Sources close to Koirala family said he will stay in the US for about eight days as a part of follow up treatment of his tongue cancer.
He is visiting the US at the advice of doctors involved in his treatment. He had undergone a tongue surgery in the US back in 2006.
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