The last time major parties were singing in chorus was in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake last year when they were in a rush to promulgate the constitution.

Following the promulgation of the constitution, it was again a game of musical chairs. Three major parties, and their top leaders, were hardly on the same page. Until the CPN-UML-led government was toppled, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal were best of the friends. A change of guard in August brought Dahal closer to Sher Bahadur Deuba, president of the Nepali Congress.

Months later, an impeachment motion has again brought the top leaders together.

On Wednesday evening, Dahal, Deuba and Oli met at Baluwatar and decided to “band together” to impeach Lokman Singh Karki.

 Wednesday’s was the first ever meeting of the top leaders of three major parties since the formation of the Dahal-led government in August. This was the first time Oli stepped in Baluwatar since August.

According to sources, though the meeting particularly focused on the impeachment motion against Karki, the trio also held talks on other pressing issues like local elections, constitution amendment and post-quake reconstruction among others.

As many as 157 lawmakers from the governing Maoist Centre and the main opposition UML on October 19 had moved an impeachment motion against Karki. The NC, the largest party in Parliament, however, has not come up with a clear position on the impeachment motion, 

The support of the Congress party, which has as many as 207 seats in Parliament, will be a must for the impeachment motion to get endorsed in Parliament.

The impeachment motion against Karki prominently figured during the meeting, an aide to one of the top leaders told the Post. “The leaders were of the view that ‘there was no turning back’ from the impeachment motion. Hence they decided to forge a larger political understanding on the matter,” said the aide.

When asked about the meeting, PM Dahal’s Press Adviser Govinda Acharya said, “Top leaders have reached an understating that they will work together on key issues including impeachment of Karki and constitution amendment. But no formal agreement was reached during today’s meeting.”

Statute amendment is one of the most pressing issues for the major parties, as the Madhes-based forces, who supported the Maoist-NC alliance to form the Dahal-led government, have warned that they will not wait beyond Chhath, which will be observed on November 6. 

According to Acharya, the top leaders have agreed to forge consensus on constitution amendment before Chhath.

We must find common ground: PM

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Puspha Kamal Dahal has said three major parties should find common ground on outstanding issues, mainly the impeachment of Lokman Singh Karki, the suspended chief of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, constitution amendment and local elections. During an interaction with editors in Baluwatar on Wednesday evening, PM Dahal said, “Holding local polls after amending the statute is my first priority. And all disgruntled forces should be brought on board for this. If elections are not held, there is danger of derailment of political process.” On Nepal-India-China trilateral cooperation, PM Dahal said the three countries could derive deep strategic benefits from this cooperation. Asked about Nepal-India oil pipeline deal where Nepal has been asked to buy fuel from Indian Oil Corporation for 15 years, Dahal said the issue is no more valid post-blockade.  “Nepal now has every right to explore trade and transit right with China,” he said. (PR)