Despite the UCPN-Maoist´s decision not to enter into any negotiation for government formation, caretaker Prime Minister and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal met with his vocal critic UML leader KP Oli and called for support to Maoists.
In the meeting held at a factory captured by the Maoists, the Maoist supremo proposed Oli for formation of a leftist government under the Maoist leadership. In response, Oli said, "It was now turn of the Maoists to reciprocate by extending its support to the UML. "As the Maoist-led government has failed, I urged the Prime Minister to help us form a new coalition under our leadership," said Oli.
Nepali Congress and UML leaders also met at UML´s central office to discuss formation of a new coalition. "The NC and UML have decided to call an all-party meeting on Tuesday. Our first priority will be to find a political solution to the present impasse in the parliament and on the formation of new government," said UML secretary Shankar Pokharel.
Nepali Congress vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel told reporters that the UML´s decision had paved way for expediting consultation with other parties. "The NC´s proposal to UML to lead the government was endorsed by UML´s central committee meeting and now we will hold bilateral and multilateral consultations with other political parties," said Poudel.
Poudel said the obstruction in parliament by the Maoists even after quitting the PM´s post was not fair. NC and UML leaders also expressed hope for acquiring support from the fourth largest party, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum, to form a new government.
The MPRF is still undecided on whom to support for the next premiership. Three Mdhesi parties --MPRF, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party and Sadbhavana Party -- have decided to collectively bargain with other parties to solicit support for Madhes issues. Sunday´s meeting of these three parties decided to finalize their agenda for talks with other parties through a meeting on Monday.
"But we are hopeful that MPRF will support our alliance as it was with us during the President´s election," said Poudel.
Maoists also engaged in their internal discussion to thrash out strategy for stopping other parties from forging an alliance. The party postponed its politburo meeting and started consultations with other parties. It also held its secretariat meeting in the evening.
Nepal is UML candidate
The CPN-UML on Sunday formally announced the party´s senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal as the party´s prime ministerial candidate in the next government.
"Now, it´s confirmed that senior leader Madhav Nepal is our party´s consensus candidate to head the new government," CPN-UML Secretary, Shankar Pokharel, told journalists at the party office.
Giving concluding remarks on the discussion over the party´s stance on forming new government in the central committee meeting, party chairman Jhala Nath Khanal had proposed Nepal´s name as the party´s consensus candidate, leaders said.
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