NC rules out joining government

KATHMANDU, Feb 21: At a time when efforts are being made by some CPN-UML leaders to negotiate with the Nepali Congress (NC) to bring the party on board the government, the NC has ruled out any possibility of joining the Jhalanath Khanal-led government.



The NC, however, is ready to negotiate with both the UML and the Maoist leaders on concluding the peace process and promulgating a new constitution within the stipulated deadline.[break]



NC Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Paudel said NC would not cooperate with the Khanal-led government unless the “controversial” seven-point deal reached between Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and UML Chairman Khanal is scrapped. “We are ready to hold negotiations with both the Maoists and the UML for peace and constitution drafting,” he said. “But we do not have any interest in holding negotiations to join the government.”



Paudel said the current government is based on the foundation of the seven-point deal which goes against various agreements reached in the past. “Since they have already sidelined us while forming the new government there is no point in joining their government,” he said. “We have already decided to stay in the opposition.”



He also said that the NC would not join the Khanal-led government even if the party is given key ministries.



Another senior NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi said NC has already made an official decision to stay in the opposition through the party´s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting. “Since we have completely rejected the seven-point deal there is no point in joining the current coalition,” said Nidhi. “We will support the government by staying in the opposition on the basis of its merits and demerits.”



Former prime minister and senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal on Friday had telephoned Paudel to hold talks over giving full shape to the cabinet. However, no talks have been held as most of the senior NC leaders were outside the Kathmandu Valley to participate in the 61st Democracy Day functions.



Earlier on Friday, the UML standing committee meeting had formed a talks team comprising Nepal, Khanal, KP Oli and Ishwar Pokharel to hold talks with other parties on the issue of expanding Khanal´s cabinet.

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