NC-Maoist meeting inconclusive as both stake claim over govt leadership

Saturday, 17 July 2010 18:39

A meeting of the top leaders of the Unified CPN (Maoist) and Nepali Congress ended inconclusively with both sides asking each other for support to form the new government.

"We proposed for support to form a NC-led government, but didn't get positive response," NC spokesperson Arjun Narsingh K.C told media persons after the meeting held at NC central office, Sanepa, Saturday afternoon.

The Maoist leaders also asked the NC to help form a consensus government under their leadership. They argued that as the biggest party they should get the chance to head the government.

Emerging from the meeting, Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the proposals floated by both sides were discussed at the meeting and that the dialogue for consensus would continue.

The Maoist team included the vice chairman trio- Mohan Baidya, Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Narayan Kaji Shrestha while the NC team was comprised of the party's acting president Sushil Koirala, vice president Ram Chandra Poudel, general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi, spokesperson Arjun Narsingh K.C and leader Krishna Situala.

The NC-Maoist meeting took place following their internal meetings. A meeting of the Maoist standing committee in the morning decided to keep open the option of an alternative prime ministerial candidate from the party (in place of Dahal) while the Congress CWC selected vice president Ram Chandra as the party's candidate for the post. nepalnews.com