The meeting held between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and main opposition CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli at latter’s residence, Balkot, on Friday concluded. However, the meeting could not forge consensus.
Leaders attended the meeting shared that the two party meeting discussed on the agenda of removing current parliamentary deadlock and endorsing the US-grant program Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact tabled at the parliament on consensus among all.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki informed that Prime Minister Deuba proposed main opposition party leader Oli to shun his stance and endorse MCC from parliament on consensus among all parties for nation’s welfare.
UML still sticking on their demand
Minister Karki further shared, “Main opposition party leader Oli said their earlier stance is still the same asking PM Deuba to enable environment for them to enter into the parliament. We will take the decision if congenial environment was created”.
PM Deuba had proposed Oli to stand united in the present time as both the parties are bound with identical democratic norms, Karki added.
Minister Karki quoted Oli as saying, “We have established democracy after an assiduous struggle. We are collaborator in the shared journey of democracy. The democratic forces should stand united for democratic cause. The parliamentary door has not opened for us. Let the door be opened, we will do the decision.”
The Minister Karki also informed that the ruling coalition is still intact.
MCC should not be held hostage: Gyawali
After the meeting, UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said UML is of the view that the MCC should not be held hostage of indecision. He further said that the discussion focused on reaching a shared understanding between the NC and UML on the matter. He stressed the need for the government to create an environment conducive for discussions in the parliament.
“The NC seems serious in the meeting. We have continued out earlier stand. We did not find government having a draft so as to address our demands.”
Saying that the party did not put any proposal to join the incumbent government and enter into any give-and-take deal, he said it was agreed that the party and NC would sit down again tomorrow (Saturday).
The UML would support the NC if it goes into isolation, he said.
The meeting was also attended by NC Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka and General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa and UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel.
It may be noted that PM Deuba earlier on Friday itself held separate talks with Chairperson of the coalition CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Chairperson of another alliance CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal.
