A day after each of them criticised Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s way of running the government, Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and influential CPN-UML leader K.P Oli met and discussed the current political situation of the country.
Oli reached Koirala’s residence in Maharajgunj Sunday morning to also discuss “future cooperation” between NC and UML, it has been learnt.
There was also discussion on the decision the government has taken till now including the implementation of the past agreements done with their respective parties, sources having access to the meeting said.
On Saturday, NC president Koirala again accused PM Dahal of leading the country to a critical state by sheltering his increasingly violent and wayward cadres and hence giving rise to impunity. He also expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country since the PM Dahal’s Unified CPN (Maoist) took over the reins of the government.
The same day, Oli, who has always been upfront in criticising the Maoists and the government it leads despite his party being a key coalition partner, accused PM Dahal of “shielding criminals”, since the government led by his party has not been taking action against the Maoist cadres involved in intimidation, thrashing civilians and creating anarchy in the country.
He further charged the Maoists of exploiting the peace process for petty gains and trying to rule the country trampling the laws. The meeting between the two leaders also comes a day after CPN-UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, who is said to be more lenient towards the Maoists, left for an official visit to China on the invitation of the Communist Party of China.
Talking to journalists at Tribhuvan International Airport before flying by China Air, Khanal said the current coalition government will not be pulled down on any pretext, adding that it has no alternative to complete the constitution writing process within the stipulated time.
Khanal had to face a fierce competition from Oli during last year’s party election for the top leadership position.
Political observers had predicted UML’s withdrawal of support for the Maoist led government and the party joining the NC coalition to form a new one if Oli trounced Khanal in the race for the party’s top leadership.
Former prime minister Koirala, on the other hand, has from the past some time been talking about a “democratic alliance” to create a momentum against, what he calls, Maoist totalitarianism, and cozying up with UML leaders to bring them into it. nepalnews.com ag Apr 19 09