UML on fence over PM bid

The CPN-UML has called its Central Committee (CC) meeting on Monday to decide whether to vie for the prime minister’s post or not.

Amidst differences within the party on the candidacy for the prime ministerial post, a meeting of the party’s Standing Committee (SC) ended inconclusively on Sunday.

Monday’s CC meeting is expected to take a decision on whether the party will file for candidacy to form a new government under its leadership or support other coalitions.

Sunday’s SC meeting failed to take a decision on the issue due to differences of opinion on whether it should pick a new prime ministerial candidate, UML sources told the Post. It is learnt that Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and senior UML leader K.P. Oli are for supporting a democratic alliance but against filing for candidacy after failing to form a consensus government.

Party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal is ready to file his candidacy saying that a two-thirds majority government is still possible under his leadership. In Sunday’s meeting, Khanal mounted pressure on party leaders to endorse his name for the prime minister’s berth, but arch rival Oli and aides opposed the move. Oli’s supporters also demanded what they called “correcting” Khanal’s decision to take charge of a talks committee replacing Oli. On July 6, Khanal had sacked Oli as the coordinator of the committee formed four months ago to negotiate with other parties.

“We have decided to file the candidacy,” UML Vice-Chairman Bam Dev Gautam, a Khanal supporter, told reporters after Sunday’s meeting. “It is obvious that our party chairman will contest the election.”

Contrary to Gautam’s comment, Secretary Shankar Pokharel said the meeting had not taken such a decision. An SC member said Khanal was for approving his name in Sunday’s meeting but Oli and Prime Minister Nepal blocked it.

Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/07/18/top-story/uml-on-fence-over-pm-bid/210577/