Kathmandu: Nepali Congress has intensified its bargain with Maoist Center, the party that leads the current coalition government, to ensure the post of presidency lands in Congress’s fold.
As the election for the new head of state is scheduled for March 9, Maoist Center and CPN-UML, a major stakeholder in the current coalition government, are locking horns over who should be the next head of state.
The talks between UML chair KP Oli and Maoist chair and prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday failed to make any headway. UML has claimed the post of presidency for itself, while Maoist Center has been rooting for consensus. Of late, Maoist Center is also learnt to have made up its mind to support Nepali Congress in the presidential election.
Meanwhile, UML chair Oli has said that various elements are working from behind the scene to break the coalition. Various foreign power centers are also said to be showing their concerns and interests about the election of president.
Nepali Congress, on its part, has been insisting that it should be given the post of head of state.
Congress spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat said on Friday that his party would support Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the prime minister for the full five-year term if Maoist Center supports the Congress candidate in the presidential election. “In today’s context, the candidate from Nepali Congress would be the most suitable candidate for the presidency,” he said. “This would be appropriate from the perspective of safeguarding the constitution as well.”
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