Kathmandu, Feb 17: A meeting was held between Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Chairman of CPN (UML) KP Sharma Oli. The current political context was discussed in the talks held at Oli’s residence in Balkot on Friday afternoon.
Responding to the media while returning after the meeting, Prime Minister Dahal said that they are trying to agree on the President within a day or two. He said, “The ruling alliance is still there, we are still in agreement, we will move forward together, there is no question of breaking up the alliance right now.”
According to Oli’s Secretariat, CPN UML Chairman Oli is of the opinion that the present alliance should be maintained for five years and that the agreement reached on December 25, 2022 with Prime Minister Dahal should be implemented regarding the President.
As the presidential election drew near, Prime Minister Dahal and UML Chairman Oli have discussed several rounds reaching an agreement on the President. Prime Minister Dahal has been saying that the President will be selected with the consensus of all parties, while Chairman Oli has argued that the President should be selected according to the consensus of December 25, 2022.
Chairman Oli has repeatedly said that the President will be from CPN UML. If CPN (Maoist Centre) goes against the previous understanding, the present coalition may break away.
CPN UML is suspicious with the Prime Minister Dahal and CPN (Maoist Centre) after series of foreign delegation meeting with Prime Minister, including from India’s Foreign Secreatary.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, has met UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli at Oli’s resident in Balkot, Bhaktapur on Friday evening. It’s not clear about their point of discussion. Reports say that their discussions were centered around Presidential election, political situation of Nepal and present coalition.
