National
Oli throws PM cards in desperation
In an attempt to get back at CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal for withdrawing his support to the coalition, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is throwing all his cards at the Nepali Congress in a bid to prevent the Maoist leader from leading the next government.Sarin Ghimire
In an attempt to get back at CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal for withdrawing his support to the coalition, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is throwing all his cards at the Nepali Congress in a bid to prevent the Maoist leader from leading the next government.
The Oli government is facing a vote of no-confidence at the Legislature-Parliament on July 21, having been stripped of its majority following the Maoist Centre’s decision to pull out of the ruling coalition on Wednesday.
Within the past couple of days, Oli is said to have enticed three senior NC leaders, among others, with the government leadership, while his aides have also reached out to the agitated Madhesi forces to save his government.
Several sources said that NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel and General Secretary Shashank Koirala were all offered the PM’s post, with pledges of the UML backing them in Parliament.
Talking to reporters after the party’s Central Committee (CC) meeting at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, Deuba admitted that Oli had tempted him with the prime ministerial post.
“It was true that Oli urged us to form a government with his backing together with other small parties, but our president kindly discarded the proposal saying that it was too late,” NC leader Ramesh Lekhak told the Post.
NC leaders claimed that such moves would only tarnish the image of the CPN-UML and label its leaders power-hungry. “This is nothing but a desperate attempt to save the coalition. He is trying to play with our leaders by offering them the reins, while he tells his party lawmakers that the constitution does not allow the formation of a new government. All he is doing is trying to defuse the vote of no-confidence in Parliament,” said Lekhak.
On Thursday, the prime minister refused to resign from his post before urging his party lawmakers to prepare themselves for a no-confidence vote since “constitutional complexities would prevent the formation of a new government”.
Surprised by Deuba’s reluctance, Oli’s next target was Poudel. On Wednesday night, Poudel was also asked to muster a majority in the NC if he wanted to become the prime minister with the backing of the UML. However, Poudel is said to have thanked him for the offer but turned it down claiming that his party had already officially decided to form the next government under Dahal’s leadership and that he would not make any move against the party’s decision.
Earlier on Wednesday, Poudel had called a meeting of leaders close to him before the party’s CC meeting to discuss Deuba’s “unilateral move” while agreeing on changing the government by joining hands with Dahal. By the time the NC leaders sat for the CC meeting, several leaders poured dissatisfaction at “not being kept in the loop”.
Likewise, Koirala was also offered the PM’s post when the PM telephoned him, the source confirmed. However, Koirala’s reply was not immediately known except that “he did not entertain the proposal”.
At a time when Deuba is criticised from several quarters within the party for his reluctance to nominate office bearers and central members, and not taking into confidence senior leaders before agreeing on a new government, Oli’s attempt to play with the Congress’s weakest point has not gone well with some leaders.
NC leader Prakash Sharan Mahat said it was but natural to have differing views in a party, dismissing claims that there was any dissatisfaction within to support the Maoist Centre in its bid to form a government.
“Instead of trying to play hopeless games with other parties and the people, the prime minister should rather gracefully resign to pave the way for a new government,” Mahat told the Post.
The NC and the Maoist party on Wednesday formally announced to form a new government under Dahal’s leadership for the first nine months, before handing over the seat to the NC for another nine months.