I have good relation with Prachanda, says Oli after ‘leaked secret deal’ creates fresh debate on who heads govt

KATHMANDU, May 31: Amid the rise of a fresh debate within the ruling party Nepal Communist Party on who will head the government next following a leakage of ‘secret five point agreement reached between the former CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoists) before their merger a year ago, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said that he has a positive relation with chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.

The secret agreement states that the two chairmen of the ruling party “will lead the government based on equality for equal periods of time”, reported Republica.

The agreement was signed by then UML Chair Oli, then Maoist Center Chair Dahal, Bishnu Paudel and Janardan Sharma who were involved in coordination between the two party chiefs, it further said.

“I have a good and positive relationship with chair Dahal. The term of my premiership will be decided in agreement with Dahal, Oli clarified talking to Rishi Dhamal from New Delhi. PM Oli is in New Delhi to attend to the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Various reports have suggested that the documents was leaked by Maoist leaders to put pressure on Oli to remain clear on power-sharing issues.

A day before the leak of the secret agreement, Dahal in a television interview Janata Janna Chahanchan had told Dhamala he was confident Oli will respect the agreement on heading the party and the government turn-by-turn since both the co-chairs are firm on the understanding.

He had said he was optimistic about getting the premiership or the party leadership (through upcoming party general election) once PM Oli completes two-and-half years at the office. The incumbent government was formed in February last year.