KATHMANDU, March 4: A day after CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli cautioned him against making controversial statements, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi held a meeting with the former prime minister at the latter's residence in Balkot, Thursday evening.

In the meeting, according to a press statement issued by Nidhi's press coordinator Ramjee Dahal, Nidhi clarified that he had not made any statement against UML's election rallies scheduled to be held across the Tarai-Madhes. Nidhi said that he did not make any such statement, unlike what was reported in the media, at the function organized by Nepal Women's Association in Lahan last week. 

"My colleagues have told me that you made such remarks about our Mechi-Mahakali campaign. But I do not believe that a person of your stature made such remarks," Oli told Nidhi in response. 

Nidhi also assured Oli that the government would provide security to the UML's Mechi-Mahakali campaign, adding that the home ministry has already directed the security agencies in this regard. 

On Tuesday, the UML had issued a press statement expressing strong objection to the alleged statement by Minister Nidhi that the UML leaders and cadres should be chased away during the Mechi-Mahakali campaign. The statement claimed that Nidhi had stressed on “exposing UML's non-cooperation to amend the new constitution.” 

During the meeting with Oli, Nidhi also expressed objection to the use of the term 'anti-national' for the constitution amendment. While arguing that Oli himself had signed the proposed delineation of Province 5 in the past, Nidhi sought UML's support for constitution amendment. 

 
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• uml campaign
 
• bimalendra nidhi