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Dahal urges PM Koirala not to contest for new term

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KATHMANDU, Oct 10: A team of UCPN (Maoist) leaders led by party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has suggested to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala not to contest for a new term as prime minister.

During a meeting with top leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC) at Baluwatar on Friday, Dahal emphasized in forming a government comprising three major political parties - the NC, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) - among other forces in the parliament.


"The present government under your leadership has accomplished a historic task of promulgating new constitution. So it wouldn't be suitable for you to repeatedly contest for the same post," UCPN (Maoist) chief whip Giriraj Mani Pokhrel quoted Dahal as saying to PM Koirala at the meeting.

During the meeting, NC General Secretary Krishna Sitaula had stressed on formation of a government commanding two-thirds majority so that the new coalition would succeed in its major task of effective implementation of the new constitution.

The Dahal-led Maoist team had reached Baluwatar when the NC leaders were attending the party's central working committee meeting, where party leaders were airing their views on what should be the party's role in the new government.

Earlier, UCPN (Maoist) leaders held meeting with CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli, who has intensified his lobbying for his candidacy for the PM's post, and put forth an eight-point demand for the Maoist party's conditional support to Oli.

"In response, Oli agreed in principle to our conditions," said Maoist leader Agni Sapkota.

The eight-point demand was decided by the standing committee meeting of the UCPN (Maoist) earlier on Friday.

The party has sought commitment from Oli in amending new constitution, addressing the demands of protesting Madhesi parties, implementation of the new constitution, ending blockade in Nepal-India border, defending national sovereignty and accomplishing the remaining task of peace process.

RPP-N mandates party Chair Thapa

Meanwhile, central committee meeting of Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N) has entrusted the party Chairman Kamal Thapa with the responsibility of taking an appropriate decision with regard to whether or not the party should join the new government.

With this decision, Thapa will choose which party will get the support of the RPP-N.

"The RPP-N wants to see the government of three largest political parties. In the event of the big parties failing to do so, the RPP-N chairman, as per this meeting's decision, will take an appropriate decision about the party's participation in the new coalition," reads a statement issued by the party's co-spokesman Mohan Shrestha.

Oli gets green signal from small parties

Meanwhile, as many as 14 fringe parties in the parliament have showed their support to Oli.

Top leaders, including heads of the 14 small parties joined a meeting at Oli's residence in Balkot on Friday and expressed their support to the UML chairman.

CPN (ML) Chief CP Mainali said they suggested Oli to form the government as per the gentleman's agreement reached among the major parties in the past.

"We suggested to the CPN-UML leaders to file Oliji's candidacy for the post and told them that we are with him even if the NC does not abide by the past agreement," Mainali told Republica.

Chitra Bahadur KC, chairman of Rastriya Jana Morcha, said that all the small parties have pledged to support Oli. "My party will definitely vote in favor of Oli. Let's see if other small parties will live up to their promise during Sunday's voting to elect new prime minister," said KC.



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