KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli has asked Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” to move forward unitedly.

UML Chairman Oli telephoned Prachanda saying, “The bitterness between us has widened. Isn’t it high time we sat down and talked?”

Oli said that some elements were active in keeping him and Prachanda apart.

Prachanda, meanwhile, said it was Oli’s attitude responsible for the bitterness between them.

“However, there is no problem to sit down and talk,” he said adding that all issues, including the way forward, should be seriously reviewed.

“See, we are currently in a coalition. Moreover, the final results of the election are yet to come. Let’s see how the situation will progress,” a source quoted Prachanda as telling UML Chairman Oli.

Meanwhile, sources close to Oli, too, confirmed the telephone talks between the two leaders.

“Yes, they exchanged congratulations on their victory in the election,” the source said.

This is the first time that the two leaders have spoken after the split of the erstwhile Nepal Communist Party (NCP).