KATHMANDU:  The Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML, the major allies of the five-party coalition, have still not made clear their official stand on the appointment of Sher Bahadur Deuba as prime minister.

A meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the NC on Thursday morning ended inconclusive. The party has said a meeting scheduled for Saturday will declare the official viewpoint of the party on Deuba’s appointment and the future of the ongoing anti-‘regression’ movement.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, NC spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC informed that 10 CWC members gave their views on the new turn of events. Asked if the five-party alliance will remain intact, especially in the context that the UML has hinted on pulling out, KC said: ”There are some differences but I do not expect a split.”

During the meeting, CWC member Nara Hari Acharya presented a written proposal asking the party chairman to call a meeting of the General Committee or declare the general convention on a short notice.

“I have proposed for an early meeting of the General Committee because we now have to review the principles the party has been upholding,” Acharya later told the media.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Standing Committee of the UML also reached no conclusions. “We have not taken any decision. Friday’s central committee meet will come up with the decisions,” UML spokesperson Pradeep Nepal said.

In the meantime, five agitating political parties continued their protests in the capital today. A rally was taken out from Ratna Park which marched past Bagbazaar, Putalisadak, Bhadrakali, New Road and converged into a sit-in protest again at Ratna Park. Anti-‘regression’ slogans were heard during the rally.