KATHMANDU: President of the main opposition Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that talks are underway with the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) to form a new government.
The Congress has decided to form a new government under its own leadership by displacing the government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. However, JSP has not made a formal decision on whether to support the current government or the Congress.
Speaking at a press conference at his residence in Budhanilkantha on Friday, President Deuba said that JSP had not decided on the issue of displacing the current government. He repeatedly mentioned that the number needed to form a new government had not been reached.
Asked by reporters as do you have any request regarding the formation of a new government with JSP leaders, Deuba replied, “I’m talking with JSP leaders.”
Nepali Congress President Deuba also said that efforts are being made to find an alternative to Prime Minister Oli.
“It has been decided to form a Congress-led government. But question arises the numbers. I want to remove Oli, but simply I can’t. We don’t have majority. Two parties, Nepali Congress and Maoist Centre, don’t have majority. We must need support from JSP, which has not made a decision yet.”
Confusion spread about MCC
Journalists also questioned President Deuba about the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement on US assistance. In response, President Deuba said that confusion has been spread about MCC.
“MCC was in discussion even before Baburam Bhattarai and Sushil Koirala were Prime Minister. In my term, the cabinet made a decision and sent a minister to the United States,” he said. “I don’t believe US Army will be coming Nepal. It’s totally a false propaganda.”
In another query, President Deuba clarified that the party’s General Convention will be on the scheduled time.
