Sushil Koirala keen to secure PM bid

KATHMANDU, NOV 28 -

The Nepali Congress has stepped up efforts to form a national unity government under its leadership for holding the second CA polls in “a free and fair manner”. Party President Sushil Koirala on Tuesday held discussions with UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, garnering support in his bid to get the NC to lead a unity government.

Koirala met Dahal on Tuesday evening at the latter’s residence in Lazimpat, Kathmandu, and urged him to support the NC. “I have forwarded a proposal on behalf of my party,” Koirala told the media after the meeting. He added that Dahal, in response, had assured him of a reply after discussing the proposal in his party. Dahal, however, argued that it would be appropriate to translate the incumbent government into one of national consensus as there were legal and constitutional difficulties in appointing a new PM. Dahal and Koirala agreed to a three-party meet on Wednesday to forge consensus within the deadline given by the President.

In the meeting with Koirala, Gachhadar said that he would be happy if the NC president was nominated for the premiership. Emerging from the meeting, Gachhadar said that he would not object to a Koirala-led government. “Koirala has sacrificed a lot for the country. I will not have any problem if consensus is forged on his leadership,” he said.

Saying that the parties have intensified parleys for accord on a common PM candidate, Gachhadar expressed his belief that consensus would be forged within a month. “There is no alternative to consensus,” he said. “I hope there will be a package agreement within a month.”

Gachhadar said he had urged Koirala to take the UCPN (Maoist) into confidence. Gachhadar’s remarks come on the heels of the NC ‘considering’ Koirala’s nomination for the PM post and lobbying for a government led by the party.

Source: The Kathmandu Post