NC President Koirala to run for Prime Ministerial race; UML to field Oli

Kathmandu / October 10 : Neglecting the request of coalition partners and breaking its gentleman’s agreement, Nepali Congress (NC) has decided party president Sushil Koirala for the post of Prime Minister.

A meeting of the top three leaders— President Sushil Koirala, senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and Vice-President Ram Chandra Paudel of the largest party of the parliament—held this morning made the decision to this effect.

The party had on Friday authorised the top three leaders to make decision on party’s stance on new government formation including whether to field its own candidate.

The CPN-UML’s Standing Committee had already decided to field the party chairman and Parliamentary Party leader, KP Sharma Oli, as the candidate for the prime ministerial election.

Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang on Friday called a meeting of the Parliament for 11 am on Sunday, October 11, to elect a new Prime Minister. As per the election schedule, parties need to register candidacy from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

In a meeting with NC leaders UCPN-Maoist has urged the party not to field candidacy and support CPN-UML leader Oli to maintain national unity. However it is said that India want Koirala’s continuity in the top post and want to check Oli from getting the top post. Koirala remained silent and did not do anything when India imposed blockade to Nepal and the country faced enormous challenge. Koirala and his allies are trying to give the contract of Kathmandu Tarai Fast track to Indian Company at a time India is imposing blockade to the country.

Except Nepali Congress all political parties have agreed to vote Oli in the Prime Ministerial race but Koirala’s candidacy many change the mood of some political parties as India, which always try to impose its will in Nepal, is likely to exert pressure to some political parties especially parties from the Tarai to vote Koirala.

It is said that Oli’s victory will help to maintain Nepal’s unity intact as Oli has been standing against India’s interference. All the countrymen stood united against India’s interference despite facing enormous challenges. The mass has been waiting Oli’s victory as Koirala broke his earlier commitment to give government leadership to CPN-UML at the influence of India.