Opposition parties, including the main opposition CPN-UML, are preparing to form a separate alliance ‘to safeguard the national interest’.

Suspicious over the intention of the ‘abrupt’ toppling of the UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli-led government, the opposition parties have started discussion on a possible alliance among the parties outside the government.

UML Vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam underscored the necessity of an alliance of the opposition parties Tuesday’s meeting at Singha Durbar which was attended by UML Chairman Oli, General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel and leader Subash Chandra Nembang, among others.

UML politburo member and Chief Whip Bhanubhakta Dhakal said the opposition parties had met for the first time to make common stance over the government’s deviation from the decisions made by the previous UML-led government.

Dhakal clarified that principally they were not against amendment of the constitution but they will not let the interest dictate that of Nepali people’s.

“Abrupt attack on the government by national and foreign forces has forced the opposition parties to suspect if it was intended at putting off elections,” said RPP-Nepal’s Chief Whip Dilnath Giri.

Since the ruling parties seemed to derail the constitution implementation process, the opposition parties decided to join forces to safeguard the national interest of the country.

He said this government was not in a condition to amend the constitution and “all it has been doing was propaganda”.

Giri said the meeting discussed on strengthening ties with the opposition parties by forming either a front or a working alliance. “The next meeting of the opposition parties will take a final decision in this regard.”

CP Mainali of the CPN-ML; Ram Kumar Subba and Dilnath Giri from the RPP-Nepal; Chitra Bahadur KC from the Rastriya Janamorcha; Prem Suwa from the Nepal Majdoor

Kisan Party; Shivalal Thapa of the Janamukti Party and Meghraj Nepali Nisad of the Madhes Samata Party Nepal were present in the meeting.