Oli, Dahal to discuss deadlock, govt formation

Published On: December 27, 2017 06:00 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Dec 27: Top leaders of the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) have decided to expedite negotiations to resolve the current deadlock over the National Assembly ordinance and formation of new government.

Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who arrived in Kathmandu from Chitwan on Tuesday, is scheduled to hold a one-on-one with UML Chairman K P Sharma Oli on Wednesday. The meeting will also dwell on expediting the party unification process, according to leaders of both the parties.

A senior leader of Maoist Center Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the meeting will mainly dwell on resolving the current political deadlock. "Our priority now is to resolve the protracted political deadlock over the formation of the National Assembly. Chairmen of the two parties will first hold negotiations on these issues tomorrow [Wednesday]," said Shrestha.

The UML and the Maoist Center are at odds over the electoral system for forming the National Assembly. While the UML is rooting for the majority-based electoral system, Maoist Center has argued that single transferable voting system could be better to elect members of the upper house.

Leaders said the two parties will give priority to the formation of government while they negotiate for the unification of the two parties. Maoist Center leaders said they plan to first listen to the UML's proposal about the party unity and decide how to expedite the unification process.

Chairman duo Oli and Dahal are scheduled to meet on Wednesday morning. Second-rung leaders of both the parties are scheduled to hold meetings for further discussions in the afternoon.

UML Secretary Pradip Gyawali said Oli and Dahal are in constant dialogue over telephone. "Second-rung leaders of the two parties are also holding negotiations over the past few days. Media reports that have suggested that the unity process has already broken are all false," said Gyawali.
Gyawali said the disputes surrounding party unity will be settled amicably through negotiations. "False reports in various media platforms are part of a planned conspiracy to derail the unity process," he further said.