In a meeting with UML leaders at NC Parliamentary Party Office in Singha Durbar Monday morning, NC President Sushil Koirala repeated the NC´s request to the UML to cast vote in favor of Paudel by revising the decision made by UML Central Committee not to vote for NC candidate.[break]
“If you decide to vote against our candidate it will be difficult for us to stay in the UML-led government,” Koirala told the UML leaders.
President Koirala also told UML leaders that it would be difficult to work with UML in future if the latter did not support to NC. “Do reconsider your position not to vote against NC,” NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi quoted Koirala as saying. “We will have problem in supporting UML in the days ahead if such a situation takes place.”
The UML leaders, however, had asked NC to withdraw Paudel´s candidacy, reminding their Central Committee decision. The UML leaders argued that they could start fresh negotiations to form national consensus government.
Though the NC and UML leaders met again later in the afternoon there failed to reach agreement.
During the meeting held at UML headquarters in Balkhu, UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal had told NC that things would be easier if the NC withdrew its candidacy. He assured that either NC or UML will head the new government even if a new round of voting is held in parliament.
On the occasion, Khanal had pointed out the need for bringing the Maoists into the new government so that the peace process and constitution-drafting process could be accomplished.
However, NC had reiterated its stance that current alliance should be given continuity for successful conclusion of the peace process and promulgation of new constitution on time. The NC leaders had argued that Maoist also could be accommodated in Paudel-led government if UML voted for NC.
Meanwhile, various small parties represented in the parliament have asked the UML to agree on a common minimum program and adopt rotational prime ministerial system. “Nepali Congress will also withdraw its candidacy if there is an agreement,” said CPN-ML Chairman CP Mainali.
Mainali said the small parties also conveyed their position to the UML that they would not support the government formed with the support of Maoist party alone. “He [Chairman Khanal] appeared confident that he would be next prime minister with the support of Maoists alone,” he said.
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