Kathmandu, February 6
CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli wants to become the next prime minister as well as the chairperson of the party to be formed after the UML’s merger with the CPN-Maoist Centre, say Maoist leaders who have been engaged in recent unification talks.
The Maoist Centre has been demanding that the two key positions should be shared between the parties; hence, Oli’s desire has delayed the unification process, according to them.
Immediately after the polls, Oli’s confidant and the party’s General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel had told that dividing key positions among different leaders would create multiple power centres in the party. Now, Oli agrees with Pokharel’s statement.
“Oli said he would hand over the chairmanship only after next general convention,” a Maoist leader informs, “He has expressed his desire to hand over the power only after providing a guideline to the country and the party.”
Meanwhile, President Bidya Devi Bhandari wants Oli and Dahal to share the positions, according to the leader.
Duing a lunch meeting held with the two leaders on Sunday, the head of the state expressed her agreement to the Maoist proposal.
