UML stance strains ties with NC

KATHMANDU, Aug 19: The decision of CPN-UML to continue to stay neutral even in the fifth round of voting for prime minister has strained its relation with the Nepali Congress (NC). “The UML decision has put the current democratic alliance under strain,” NC leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat told Republica.[break]

 

A parliamentary party meeting of the UML on Monday had decided to stay neutral in the fifth round of voting as well and had asked the NC and Maoists to withdraw their candidacy for prime minister. The meeting also proposed amendment in the current parliamentary regulations to seek a way out of the current deadlock over prime minister´s election.



NC leaders have accused UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal of hobnobbing with the Maoists after the latter assured to support him as the new prime minister. NC leaders claim Khanal´s insistence on “consensus” is nothing but a ploy to further his own ambition to become the new prime minister.



After defeat in the prime ministerial election for the second time in a row, UCPN (Maoist) had devised two strategies: try its level best to garner support of United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) -- which commands 82 seats and enough for the Maoist party to form a majority government -- and create environment for UML to remain neutral in voting for the new prime minister.



“After they failed to garner support from the Madhes-based parties to form a majority government, the Maoists appear desperate in breaking the current non-Maoist alliance in parliament by using (UML Chairman) Khanal,” said a senior NC leader, preferring anonymity. NC leaders believe that the Maoists had long been trying to break the alliance.



UML has been staying neutral in all three rounds of voting for prime minister after the party withdrew Khanal´s candidacy.



Since the UML is a "divided house" and Madhesi parties are not much willing to vote for a Maoist-led government, NC leaders say, the possibility of forming a majority government led by the NC or the Maoist appears slim.



NC Spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC argued that NC took the initiative to form majority government after all efforts made at forming consensus government failed. “If the UML is for seeking consensus on issues related to peace process and constitution-drafting, the NC always stands ready for that,” he said. “The UML and the Maoist can come together to form new government. NC will choose to stay in opposition.”





KC reiterated that the NC won´t withdraw from the ongoing process to elect new prime minister. “The UML must be ready to take the ongoing election process to a logical end by supporting any one of the two candidates in the fray,” he added.

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