Kathmandu, June 25

The decision of CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the eleventh hour not to visit Australia has sparked speculations, especially since he cancelled the visit soon after his meeting with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba.

If another leader of the CPN-MC Narayan Kaji Shrestha is to be believed, Dahal cancelled his visit at the eleventh hour as there was possibility of formation of a national consensus government very soon.

Shrestha said Dahal also cancelled his visit because the bill to amend Truth and Reconciliation Act was in its final stage and his absence could affect the process. He also said the party needed to take many important decisions and Dahal absence could affect it.

During his meeting with Deuba, Dahal had had expressed dissatisfaction at the working style of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and had indicated that change was necessary to ensure that all conflict era cases were channeled to the TRC and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons.

“Dahal said at the meeting that the government and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli were not serious about concluding the remaining tasks of the peace process,” a source said, adding he also stressed on forming a national consensus government as soon as the Parliament endorsed the budget.

A member of the party’s headquarters said Oli had spoiled internal unity by not respecting the issues of Madhesis, Janajatis, Tharus and other communities. He also claimed that Dahal accused Oli of ruining the country’s diplomatic image.

Another leader of CPN-MC Dev Prasad Gurung said his party would seek an alternative to the existing government if it fails to resolve issues relating to conflict era cases.

Another leader Mani Thapa also said Chairman Dahal was in close contact with the agitating Madhesi leaders and that the party was for forming a national consensus government that could resolve the remaining tasks of the peace process.