Caretaker Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli questioned CPN (Maoist Centre) leaders on Saturday why his party should join the new government when the Nepali Congress refused to join a UML-led government.

PM Oli also told Maoist leaders that the UML would not join the new government because the Maoists had abruptly quit the coalition government that he headed.

Maoist Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha had reached the PM’s residence in Baluwatar to urge UML leaders to support the Maoist Centre in forming a consensus government.

UML leaders Subas Nembang and Bhim Rawal had questioned whether the NC had changed its stance against the formation of a unity government and that of not including the UML in their coalition.

According to UML Vice-chairman Bhim Rawal, PM Oli told Dahal that their plan to hold local elections by mid-April was not feasible as the government would change at that time.

However, leaders of the two parties had cordial discussion on supporting each other on issues of national interest.

On the projects initiated by the Oli government, Dahal said they would be given continuity by the Congress-Maoist government led by him as they were introduced with the Maoist approval.

Shrestha said the UML leaders were for cooperation with the Maoists in future too and would support the new government in national issues.