Maoist and Congress vie for PM’s berth, UML sits tight

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s two major political parties- ruling UCPN Maoist and opposition Nepali Congress- continued confronting each other for PM’s birth in the much hyped national consensus government.

A meeting of these two parties also participated by another lead third party- CPN UML- trailed out in a fiasco after the two large parties reiterated claims on the leadership of the consensus government.

These parties got to discussion at the Peace Ministry inside Singhadurbar premises following the President’s call for forming consensus government within seven days on Friday.

Though the President’s call remained highly contended among the opposition and ruling parties, they nevertheless have started discussion on the leadership of the consensus government.

Exiting the meeting, NC Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel said that differences persisted between NC and UCPN Maoist over the government leadership and claimed that they have agreed to continue discussions on Sunday also.

UCPN Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal said that his party was ready to adopt flexibility on government leadership if other parties were ready to seal the deal in a package.

Along with Dahal, the meeting was also attended by UCPN Maoist vice chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha, PM Baburam Bhattarai, NC President Sushil Koirala, CPN UML Chairman Jhalnath Khanal and his deputy Bamdev Gautam.