Dr Bhattarai´s remarks come amid media reports that he intends to field his candidacy from the Maoist party for the top executive post of the country. [break]
Speaking at a function organized in the capital, Dr Bhattarai said he will support any candidate from the party to head the new government. “The need of the hour is political consensus,” he said. “I therefore would like to make it clear that I am not the candidate for the prime minister.”
Dr Bhattarai argued all leaders should forgo the demand that the prime minister be chosen from their parties as such a posture would make consensus impossible. “I am ready to make any kind of sacrifice for the cause of consensus,” he further said. “I want others to follow suit.”
Dr Bhattarai had already said during the party´s politburo meeting that he did not intend to field candidacy for the post of prime minister.
Accusing the parties of neglecting the agenda of peace and constitution drafting over power sharing deal, he urged for commitment from all to take the ongoing peace process to a logical end and promulgate the new constitution on time.
Addressing the function, NC Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel said the trust deficit among parties was a major stumbling to resolving the current political deadlock. He said the NC will not object to the Maoist leadership in the government if the latter created an environment of trust by implementing the past agreements.
Senior CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli said there is no possibility of forming the new government under Maoists leadership as the Maoists is still bent on seizing state power. He said the Maoists must transform into a civilian party to claim the government leadership.
Meanwhile, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) Chairman Upendra Yadav said power struggle among the big three parties has led the country toward disaster.
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