KATHMANDU: The discussion between the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and the main opposition CPN-UML ended without any conclusion on Thursday evening.
During the meeting held at the PM’s residence in Baluwatar, the top brass of both parties discussed the recent political situation.
The two sides discussed contemporary developments, including United States grant Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), UML obstruction of parliament, UML’s dissatisfaction over the role of Speaker Agni Sapkota in the formation of the CPN-Unified Socialist, among others.
The House of Representatives (HoR) meeting was also postponed today at the request of the government. Finance Minister Janardan Sharma was to table the MCC for discussion at parliament today.
However, when Nepali Congress (NC) President Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba got wind that 28 Maoist lawmakers were ready to stand against MCC and seek a split vote, resulting in the government-tabled agenda to fall in minority, he urged the speaker to postpone the HoR meeting until tomorrow, Friday.
The Maoist Center had discussed with Speaker Sapkota yesterday itself that the 28 Maoist lawmakers would oppose the agenda and seek a split vote on MCC causing the government to fall into the minority, said a source close to PM Deuba.
After which, the Speaker was to request a detailed discussion on MCC. Getting wind of it, PM Deuba urged Speaker Sapkota to postpone the meeting.
PM Deuba said he was furthering talks with the UML to avoid the ambush of the Maoists. After that, the Prime Minister had sent Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand to meet Speaker Sapkota. While the Prime Minister was holding talks with the UML, the Home Minister was in talks with the Speaker.
Though what was discussed with Speaker Sapkota has not been revealed, sources said the speaker was asked to clear the way citing UML dissatisfaction over his role in parliament and as the speaker’s inclination to make fall in minority.
The NC is compelled to address the UML demand to impeach the speaker to create an environment for the main opposition to participate in the proceedings of the parliament if the speaker does not pave the way. Even Janata Samajbadi Party Federal Chair Baburam Bhattarai is said to have agreed to remove the speaker.
Meanwhile, after the NC showed flexibility in addressing UML demands, the UML is against discussing UML Chair KP Oli’s residence in Balkot this evening. The UML and NC are scheduled to hold another round of meeting on Friday morning.
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