Kathmandu, February 25
Two key members of the ruling alliance–CPN-Maoist Centre and CPN-Unified Socialist–that have been opposing the 2017 MCC deal signed with the United States government for the USD 500 million grant have decided to let the deal get passed through the parliament.
The government has tabled the deal in the parliament earlier this week as Washington’s deadline is coming closer.
The parties, however, still do not vote for the controversial deal. They have agreed to not be present in the meeting that will put the deal to the vote.
The parties decided to go for the compromise as Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba prepared to form a new coalition with the main opposition CPN-UML to retain his premiership and endorse the deal.
It has been learned that the two parties have already informed the prime minister about their intention to let the deal through and save the alliance together.
“It is highly likely that the next parliament meeting (called for Sunday) will endorse the deal,” a Maoist leader says.
Earlier, it was reported that Deuba was partnering up with the UML to endorse the MCC deal. It would mean he would have to meet its demands: the impeachment against Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota or the removal of the 14 lawmakers who had defected the UML to join the Unified Socialist. The report had frightened the Maoist Centre and Unified Socialist.
Nepali politicians and society are virtually divided about the MCC deal as many people argue the deal has some provisions against the national sovereignty and national interests whereas many others think it is a great help for the country’s development. Read more about the long-standing dispute about the MCC deal.
