The NC´s move comes in the wake of parliament´s failure to elect a new prime minister in the fourth round of voting held on August 6. Neither of the two prime ministerial candidates - Ram Chandra Poudel (NC) and Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Maoist) - could secure a majority as the UML preferred to stay neutral during the voting. [break]
The fifth round of voting for a new prime minister is scheduled for August 18.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula said the UML was "positive" about his party´s request.
“We told the UML that it is not wise to prolong the deadlock as formation of a consensus government is not possible," he said. "The UML is positive about our proposal and was of the view that the country should not be made a hostage of indecision.”
The two parties have also decided to hold discussions with Madhes-based political parties on the current political deadlock, according to Sitaula.
UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and the party´s secretary Bishnu Poudel, NC Acting President Sushil Koirala, Vice President Poudel, General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi, among others, were present in the meeting.
Talking to myrepublica.com, UML Secretary Poudel said NC leaders asked the UML to give up its neutral stance for the formation of a new government at the earliest.
“However, Chairman Khanal stressed on the need for the formation of national consensus government during the meeting,” he said. “The leaders of the two parties have agreed to sit for another round of talks.”
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