Kathmandu, April 16

Senior leader and former chairman of CPN-UML Jhalanath Khanal today said a consensus government could also be formed under the leadership of ‘other’ leaders.

Addressing an interaction organised by Reporters Club here today, Khanal said national consensus government was the need of the hour to ensure effective implementation of the new constitution.

“If the national consensus government could not be formed under the leadership of KP Sharma Oli, such a government could be formed under any other leader,” Khanal said.

He further said Nepal cannot move ahead if the parties failed to remain united and urged parties to remain united for the next few years to ensure effective implementation of the constitution.

In contrast to PM Oli’s statement that there was no factionalism within the party, Khanal claimed that the hangover of the ninth national convention of the party in which two factions had a tough fight for leadership was not over yet.

On constitutional provisions, he said that the seven-province federal model would not be changed without proving its significance. He said even if the model is changed at all, it should be approved through referendum.

He, however, said that the disputes relating to some places could be managed.

The former prime minister said issues of the agitating Madhesi parties should be resolved through dialogue and urged them to come forward for talks.