KATHMANDU, JANUARY 27
The CPN-Maoist Centre has decided to forge national consensus on the candidate for the new president.
CPN-MC leader and party Spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that the Standing Committee meeting of the party held at the Central Office in Paris Danda decided that the new president of the country would be elected through national consensus.
CPN-MC leader DevendraPaudel told mediapersons after the meeting that his party discussed the possibility of electing the new president on the basis of national consensus.
"Most of the leaders are in favour of a consensus candidate for the president," said Mahara. He also said that no decision had been taken yet.
"We are in favour of national consensus but at the same time we have to talk with other parties of the ruling alliance regarding the matter," added Mahara.
He said the presidential election will be held between March 10 and 12. He also informed that the meeting also discussed about party unity with Nepal Samajwadi Party and Biplava-led CPN. At the meeting, Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal submitted a report regarding the current political situation.
Spokesperson for the party Mahara said that the report highlighted the political developments after Nepali Congress gave vote of confidence to Prime Minister Dahal.
CPN-MC leader Devendra Paudel said his party was of the view that the new president should be elected with the consent of both the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress.
"If we can elect a person acceptable to all the parties, we can protect the constitution, and ensure that the hung Parliament completes its five-year term," Paudel said. He also said the president should be a person who could uphold the spirit of the constitution and promote national unity.
He cited the example of Indian scientist APJ Abdul Kalam who was elected the president of India and was widely acceptable across the political spectrum, Paudel said.
"The president's post should not be a bargaining tool for the parties," he added.
The CPN-UML, however, is opposed to the idea of electing the president on the basis of consensus.
Recently, UML Chair Oli had said that his party would field a candidate for the post of president and if all parties supported the UML candidate, that would reflect national consensus.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 28, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
