Kathmandu, Feb 24: Eight parties including the CPN (Maoist Centere) have decided to support the Nepali Congress candidate for the presidency.
The decision was taken at a meeting of eight parties held at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Baluwatar, on Friday evening. After the meeting, MP Prakash Jwala of CPN (Unified Socialist) said that only the President’s issue was discussed in the meeting.
He said that the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ himself requested party leaders to support the Nepali Congress candidate.
He said, “Only one issue was discussed today. The Prime Minister requested to support the candidate of the largest party Nepali Congress.”
In the meeting, leaders from CPN (Maoist Centre), Nepali Congress, CPN (Unified Socialist), Janamorcha, Janata Samajwadi Party, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Janamat Party and Nagarik Unmukti Party.
However, Nepali Congress has not decided yet the name of the presidential candidate. Congress will decide it’s name, probably senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel.
The date for filing the presidential nomition has been fixed for Saturday.
Meanwhile, CPN UML has reiterated to field it’s candidacy for the upcoming presidential election. UML was seeking support from the third largest party – CPN Maoist Centre.
The new decision to support Congress candidate will break the present coalition. Leaders from CPN UML has already warned that they cannot support the Prachanda-led government if CPN Maoist Centre breaches it’s prior agreement with UML.
