Kathmandu, June 22
CPN-Maoist Centre Chair Prachanda and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba held political discussions at Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha on Wednesday. The two discussed the possibility of forming a national unity government as an alternative to the KP Sharma Oli-led ruling coalition of which CPN-Maoist Centre is a partner.
Prachanda had gone to Deuba’s residence before starting a weeklong visit to Australia.
But Prachanda cancelled his visit after the meeting with Deuba, responding to a request from Prime Minister Oli.
During the meeting, both Deuba and Prachanda stressed the need to form a national unity government for the implementation of the newly-promulgated constitution, Prachanda’s Private Secretariat informed.
Deuba, according to a Maoist source, informally proposed Prachanda to be the prime minister. The source said: But Prachanda said he will not be the prime minister of a majority government.
If the Nepali Congress and Madheshi parties agree, a unity government can take shape under the leadership of Oli himself, the source said, adding: All along, Prachanda has been saying that a national unity government should take shape, regardless of who leads it.
Talking to the media about his meeting with Prachanda, Deuba said: Prachanda came to meet me before embarking on a foreign visit because he is a friend of mine.
An earlier understanding between Prachanda and Deuba to topple the Oli government had failed. Prachanda had backtracked after a nine-point deal between the Centre and the CPN-UML, partners in the Oli-led ruling coalition. This deal had affected ties between the Centre and the NC. Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi had even accused Prachanda of cheating the Congress.
