As pressure mounts on the CPN UML to quit the coalition government, KP Sharma Oli, an influential UML leader, has ruled out the possibility of early departure from the power.

Speaking at a face-to-face program organised by the Reporters Club Nepal in Kathmandu Wednesday, Oli said, “UML is not going to escape from the responsibility to restore peace in the country. We are not going to quit the government just because some people want us to do so.” The very idea to relinquish the ruling alliance on grounds of differences on some issues, according to him, was irrational.

UML’s wings, the All Nepal National Free Students Union and Democratic National Youth Association, have already asked the party leadership to pull out of the government. During the ongoing Central Committee meeting, a number of central leaders have also demanded an early withdrawal from the government on grounds of the failure in implementing the common minimum program.

Oli expressed the confidence that the present government would being the Maoist insurgents to negotiating table and argued that the January 13 deadline given to the rebels would still not close the doors for dialogue. “If talks do not take place until January 13, they will happen the other day.”

Reacting to the demand for reinstatement of the House of Representatives by the Nepali Congress and its allies in the street, Oli said, “It is not that the Maoists would voluntarily come to the table once the parliament is revived.” He maintained the parliament could be reinstated through a political decision since there were no legal grounds for such as move.

On a question, Oli said the King’s India visit beginning Thursday should not “exceed the limits of a goodwill visit”.