Ruling alliance hold talks to decide MCC’s fate

Although the government was preparing to table the MCC Compact in the HoR meeting on Wednesday, it was not tabled after the ruling coalition failed to forge consensus on the issue.

NL Today

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Kathmandu: A meeting of the ruling alliance to decide the fate of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact is underway at Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar on Thursday.

The top leaders of the ruling alliance have sat for the talks following informal talks within the parties.

Although the government was ready to table the MCC proposal in the HoR meeting on Wednesday, it was not tabled after the ruling coalition failed to forge consensus in this regard.

The tabling of the Compact was postponed following an agreement between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to discuss the issue within the ruling alliance.

Prachanda had PM Deuba after a Parliamentary Party meeting of the party decided not to support the endorsement of the MCC in the status quo.

The party that had earlier agreed to table the Compact today changed its tone. The party also warned of leaving the alliance if the Compact is tabled without consensus in the ruling coalition. Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota who had said that parties are free to decide on the tabling of the Compact on Wednesday reportedly said that consensus among political parties is a must for the tabling of the Compact.

Protests have been staged in different parts of the country against the Compact. Sister organizations of two ruling parties—CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN (Unified Socialist)—have taken to the street against the Compact.