KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed frustration that Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is unwilling to engage in dialogue with him despite repeated attempts to resolve the ongoing parliamentary deadlock.
Although Prachanda has been in Kathmandu for the past week after pausing his Mid-Hill Highway campaign, he has reportedly refused to respond to the prime minister’s efforts to establish contact. On Monday, while the CPN-UML was holding its parliamentary party meeting at Lhotse Hall of the Federal Parliament Building, Prachanda was meeting with Maoist lawmakers to strategize for Tuesday’s House session.
During the UML meeting, PM Oli expressed disappointment, stating, “I tried to talk to Maoist Centre leader Prachanda to resume regular parliamentary proceedings from tomorrow, but he deliberately avoided contact. It seems they are in the mood to block the House instead of engaging in dialogue. This can’t continue — Parliament cannot be held hostage over such issues.”
The opposition, including the Maoist Centre, Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, have been obstructing the House, demanding the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak over the controversial “visit visa” scandal. Oli, however, dismissed the demand as baseless, asserting that no complaint or investigation has been initiated against the home minister.
Ironically, while Oli was airing his grievances in the party meeting, Prachanda was reportedly holding a telephone conversation with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. The two leaders discussed ways to end the House obstruction, which has persisted for two weeks.
According to sources, they spoke about finding a resolution, although the opposition continues to insist that the House will not resume until Lekhak steps down. While Deuba and Oli are both defending the home minister, Oli has taken a more aggressive public stance.
The Maoist Centre is expected to take further decisions on the obstruction in its parliamentary meeting. Prachanda is said to have told Deuba that he would discuss the matter with his party before deciding on the next steps.
Comment