Maoist leaders exerting pressure on PM Dahal not to leave the post of President to UML

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has come under immense pressure from his party’s influential leaders, who have been insisting that the country’s President should not be given to CPN-UML.

It should be noted that Prime Minister Prachanda, who is also the Chairman of the Maoist Center, had during the party’s Standing Committee meeting on Friday sought suggestions from party leaders regarding the presidential election.

The majority of the Maoist leaders, including Janardhan Sharma and Krishna Bahadur Mahara, insisted that PM Dahal should take a stand on the issue of electing the country’s President and make sure that the post does not go to UML.

Sources said that the Maoist leaders fear that UML Chairman KP Oli can cause trouble at any time.

It may be recalled that UML Chairman Oli dissolved the House of Representatives twice when he was the Prime Minister because of which Maoist Center Chairman Prachanda walked away from him.

Sources claim that Maoist Center Vice Chairman Krishna Bahadur Mahara, leaders Agni Prasad Sapkota, Janardan Sharma and Shakti Basnet are unanimous in not giving the post of the President to UML.

According to a leader, these four leaders are in favor of forging an alliance with the Nepali Congress, if necessary.

The Maoist leaders believe that the country needs a President who will advance the parties’ agenda unconditionally in order to realize the needs of the country.