UPDATE: UML to support Dahal as PM if Oli govt allowed to present policy and programme, budget

KATHMANDU: The top leaders of UCPN-Maoist met CPN-UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and others leaders of the party this evening, and asked them to lend support to Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal in his bid to form a new government.

In response, the CPN-UML made it clear to the Maoist leadership that it would support Dahal as the new prime minister only if the incumbent government was allowed to present the government's policy and programme and the new budget at the Parliament, according to CPN-UML Vice-Chairman Bamdev Gautam.

"A proposal to change the government unexpectedly came (from the Maoist side) saying the Nepali Congress supported it, seeking support from the CPN-UML also," Gautam told media after the meeting at the PM's official residence in Baluwatar, "If Prachanda jee (Maoist Chairman Dahal) wants to become the Prime Minister, we all are ready for that. But we are of the opinion Prachanda should become Prime Minister in our support, with support from all ruling parties..."

According to Gautam, CPN-UML Chairman and Prime Minister Oli made it clear to the Maoist leadership in the meeting today.

"Our support will be for Prachanda after the government's policy and programme and the budget come," he added.

Meanwhile, it has been learned that the CPN-UML leadership said it would get back to the Maoist party with some decision by tomorrow after holding internal talks.

(Updated)

Maoists to hold final talks with PM Oli over support withdrawl

KATHMANDU: The UCPN-Maoist concluded its Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday evening, making a decision to hold final talks with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's party, CPN-UML, on whether to withdraw support extended to the incumbent coalition government or give continuity to it.

"We will finally talk with the UML immediately and decide whether to continue support to the government," the Maoist spokesperson, Dinanath Sharma told reporters after the meeting.

Sharma said the party, however, was yet to decide about whether to leave the government. He accused the government of failing to carry out reconstruction works and concluding tasks of the peace process on time.

After the meeting, some leaders of the party went to the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar to update Prime Minister Oli about the party decision and hold further talks, according to the state-owned Nepal Television.  

(Updated)

UCPN-Maoist skips, MJF-D fails to attend meeting of ruling coalition

KATHMANDU: Major ally UCPN-Maoist skipped the meeting of ruling coalition called by CPN-UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday evening.

Likewise, Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar's party Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic also did not attend the meeting as the party leaders are in Biratnagar. MJF-D leaders are taking part in the party's general convention, which kicked off in Biratnagar yesterday.

Prime Minister Oli had called the emergency meeting at his official residence this evening after the Maoist party hinted to withdraw support from the Oli-led government and initiate formation of the new government in its leadership.

Earlier today, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had met Prime Minister Oli also and informed him about his party's decision. He had sought Oli's support to form the new government in his own premiership.

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