KATHMANDU: The ruling UCPN-Maoist has decided to hold a discussion with the Prime Minister in a bid to exert pressure on him to address the pro-people agenda advocated by the party in the upcoming budget.

A meeting of the Maoist leaders, including ministers in the KP Sharma Oli-led Cabinet, concluded that the pro-people agenda would include issues relating to the peace process, economic prosperity, social justice and livelihood. The party would further prod the ruling partner CPN-UML for providing half million rupees to the families of those killed in the armed conflict.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, said all eight ministers from the party furnished their views and suggestions to the party leadership on the upcoming budget. Chief Whip of the Maoist Parliamentary Party, Hit Raj Pandey, said the government would be urged to bring the budget in line with the suggestions furnished by the party ministers. Based on the suggestions, the party would hold talks with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel.