Deadline for formation of consensus govt. ends; NC leaders demand leadership in new govt.

Kathmandu / October 8: The deadline given by the President for choosing a new prime minister on the basis of consensus expired Thursday. President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on October 2 called on the political parties for the nomination of a new prime minister based on consensus within the next seven days.

With the political parties’ inability to form the consensus-based government, a meeting of the Legislature-Parliament scheduled for Friday is expected to begin a majority process for the same.

However, the political leaders of the fringe parties on Thursday stressed on formation of a consensual government in the aftermath of the promulgation of the new constitution. At an interaction held by Press Chautari Nepal speakers called on the major political parties to move forward with unity for sustainable peace, development and implementation of the new constitution.

CPN (ML) General Secretary CP Mainali said it would be good if the government could be formed with consensus among Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and UCPN (Maoist).

Rastriya Janamorcha Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC said all the parties must unite to keep the country’s integrity intact and advance without fear for upholding the national independence.

CPN (UML) central member Surya Thapa expressed confidence a national government would be formed under the leadership of UML Chairman KP Oli as per the ‘gentleman’s agreement’ among the major parties.

Nepal Pariwar Dal Chair Haricharan Shah pointed out that the current chaos seen in the grassroots level was attributable to the failure of the leaders of the major parties to head to Terai/Madhes after the delivery of the new constitution.

Earlier, three major political parties reached into gentleman agreement to form new government under the leadership of CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli but Nepali congress stepped back from its stance and mulling to form the new government under its leadership.

Meanwhile, During Thursday’s meeting of the Central Committee, majority of the members called for a Congress-led government for implementing the constitution, arguing that it is the largest party leading the constitution making process.

A total of 56 central members put forth their views at the meeting held at the Prime Minister official residence at Baluwatar. NC has a total of 84 CC members.

Though an agreement was reached on NC led government, the office-bearers however could not decide as yet on who would lead the government on behalf of the party.

The party will first decide on leading the new government and then the CC would again decide on the candidate for the executive post.

Emerging from the meeting NC spokesperson Dilendra Prasad Badu said majority of the CC members voted in favour of a NC-led consensus government. “After an institutional decision is taken on NC led government then the CC will decide on the individual who will lead the government,” Badu said.

Prime Minister and NC President Sushil Koirala summoned the CC meeting after demands were raised within the party for an institutional decision paving the way for an NC led government.
After the parliamentary meeting scheduled for Friday fails to reach a consensus it will proceed to voting process for formation of the new government based on a majority. The next NC CC meeting will be held at 10 am on Friday at the PM’s official residence. RSS