The issue of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US grant project, has been widely debated of late. While Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is taking a stand to ratify MCC, other parties in the ruling coalition are divided on the issue.

The main opposition party, the CPN-UML, has remained silent as the ruling coalition has not been able to forge a consensus on the issue.

The UML seems to wait for the right time to make its stance clear. Khabarhub had had a conversation with UML Deputy General Secretary Pradip Gyawali on the role of the opposition party on various issues, including MCC, local elections, and recent political developments. Excerpts:

CPN-UML seems to be in a hurry for elections. Do you think that the government will hold elections within the stipulated time?

It is the duty and responsibility of the government to hold elections on time as our Constitution envisages periodic elections. The government has already announced the dates for the local elections, and we welcome it. However, the situation is still unsatisfactory.

Do you think that the government would hold elections to the House of Representatives on time?

We have maintained nationwide public pressure out of apprehension. It is not a matter of urging anyone. Friends within the Nepali Congress have been raising their voices for the timely elections.

Most of the legal business associates are also saying that the election should be held on time. Due to all these things, let’s hope that the date of the election will be held within the stipulated time.

What is your observation of the ruling coalition? Have you initiated electoral coordination?

This ruling alliance is not in the interest of the country and the people. It is an alliance formed on the basis of selfishness. As soon as selfishness ends, the alliance itself will fall into a trap.

UML will contest the election alone. This does not mean that there is no understanding in some local level wards. However, we have no interest in forming a nationwide alliance.

We have asked the Nepali Congress to contest on its own.

UML, on the other hand, is preparing for electoral coordination with CK Raut and Resham Chaudhary. What led your party to make an alliance with them?

It is totally baseless. CPN-UML has not been weak enough to coordinate with Resham Chaudhary and CK Raut.

Although the UML has played a major role in bringing CK Raut into mainstream politics, we do not support his continued riotous activities in the Terai today. We have no plans to cooperate with these parties.

What are the chances of your coordination with RPP and the Democratic Socialist Party?

We coordinated with the Democratic Socialist Party in the National Assembly. But there is no possibility of nationwide coordination with RPP. If it happened at any local level, it is a matter of the local committee.

What is the firm position of CPN-UML regarding MCC?

We are very much clear. The government has to move it forward in the Parliament without delay. The opportunism of the ruling coalition and the confusion of the ruling coalition is responsible for the mess.

Moreover, this is an internal matter of Nepal, mostly related to Nepal and the United States. It is not wise for other countries to show their interest in this issue.

As far as our views are concerned, we want the MCC agreement to be tabled in Parliament as soon as possible. UML puts forward its views in the House itself.

You have been accused of using MCC for internal manipulation. Is it true?

We have not made MCC a subject of manipulation. We have said in a clear language not to ignore MCC. If the ruling coalition has the support of 165 lawmakers, I do not see our role in it. If the coalition has the required number of votes to endorse MCC, we will have no role.

When UML was in government, we worked hard to get it endorsed. You already know that MCC could not move forward due to the non-cooperation of the Speaker. Now the Speaker is in favor of the incumbent government.