Kathmandu February 18

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal today forged consensus on ideological issues.

If second rung leaders of their respective parties don’t create obstacle, then the two leaders will soon seal a deal, said left alliance leaders.

Oli and Dahal held a one-on-one meeting in Old Thimi, Bhaktapur, today and reached understanding on vexing issues.

Sources said Oli and Dahal agreed to debate UML’s People’s Multi-Party Democracy and CPN-MC’s People’s Democracy in the 21st Century and Maoism and accept the decision of the general convention of the unified party on issues of ideology.

According to sources, Oli and Dahal agreed to assess the UML’s parliamentary struggle and CPN-MC’s people’s war in the unified party’s document. “The meeting ended on a positive note unlike their last meeting on Wednesday,” Dahal’s Personal Secretary Jokha Bahadur Mahara told THT.

There was a stalemate in the Party Unification Coordination Committee meeting on Wednesday, as   UML leaders said they would not give up PMDP.

The two sides have agreed that Oli and Dahal will co-chair the unified party and take turns to become prime minister, with Oli at the helm of the government in the first phase.

Oli is keen on CPN-MC lawmakers joining his Cabinet.  Dahal had earlier said his party would join the Cabinet after sealing a package deal.

The president and the deputy speaker of the Parliament are likely to be from the UML, while the speaker and the vice-president are likely to be from the CPN-MC.

According to sources, Oli and Dahal also discussed allocation of portfolios but decided to disclose the same at the PUCC meeting tomorrow.

According to CPN-MC leaders, since the meeting ended on a positive note, Dahal cancelled his scheduled visit to Chitwan today.

The PUCC is likely to form task forces to sort out issues concerning ideology and organisational structure tomorrow.

Common Minimum Programme

• According to CPN-UML leader Bijay Poudel, a member of the task force formed by the left alliance for finalising the Common Minimum Programme to run the government, the task force submitted its report to Oli and Dahal. Recommendations:
• The government should make provisions to supply enough electricity to households so that they do not have to rely on LPG and firewood within five years
• Employment opportunities should be given to all and more so to women in the Tarai
• The government should ensure food subsidy card and health insurance schemes for the poor
• The new government should scrap the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government’s decisions taken when the election code of conduct was in force.
• East-West Railway infrastructure and Upper Karnali Hydel Project should be built by the government
• Procurement and compensation rules should be eased to accelerate development work