KATHMANDU: A crucial meeting of the top leaders of the ruling coalition on government formation is underway at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar.
Earlier, Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda engaged in one-on-one discussions on government formation.
Before coming to Baluwatar, Prachanda held discussions with his party leaders at his residence in Khumaltar.
Even though the meeting of the ruling coalition was scheduled to be held at 10 am on Sunday, it is being delayed due to internal discussions.
It has not been decided who will be the prime minister from the alliance for the first two years.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda is claiming the position of Prime Minister for the first two years.
Meanwhile, NC leadership is under pressure to not leave the prime ministerial position to the Maoists.
It should be noted that a meeting of the ruling coalition held on Saturday ended inconclusively.
The parties have been endeavoring to settle the contentious issue of who would lead the government in the first two years.
The parties could not forge consensus on government formation as major parties – Nepal Congress (NC) and Maoist Center – remained adamant about their respective positions on the prime ministership, a leader, who attended the meeting said.
“We will reach a decision today,” NC leader Gyanendra Karki said, adding, “The coalition partners will form the government.”
Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has been insisting that he should lead the government while Nepali Congress has been adamant about its position of leading the government as the largest party.
It should be noted that the time given by President Bidya Devi Bhandari to form the government, as per Article 76 (2) of the Constitution, is ending today.
Comment