CPN (Maoist Centre), a key coalition partner in the incumbent Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government which had earlier in the day decided to quit the government, has rolled back its decision.

Speaking at a press meet organised at the Home Ministry on Tuesday afternoon, Home Minister Janardan Sharma claimed that his party cancelled its earlier decision to pull out of government at the last minute after receiving a tip that the government is considering deferring the election dates.

The federal and provincial elections have been scheduled for November 26 and December 7.

A Parliamentary Party meet of the Maoist Centre was convened at party central office in Paris Danda to make the decision to quit government.

Minister Sharma told media after the meeting that they received a secret information from Election Commission (EC) about the government’s plan to postpone the elections when the Maoist ministers were preparing to sign the mass resignation.

“We joined the government to ensure the conduction of elections in time. Why would we quit the government, if the elections are to be deferred. We have called off the issue of quitting government for the time being,” said Minister Sharma.

During the PP meeting, CPN (MC) leaders reportedly argued that quitting the government, when there is information regarding the postponement of the elections, would put the nation in peril.

Earlier in the day, the CPN (Maoist Centre) had decided to pull out of government following a meeting between Maoist Chairman Dahal and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

“As the prime minister has urged our party to quit government, we will soon issue a press statement with the decision to quit government,” said CPN (Maoist Centre) spokesperson Pampha Bhusal earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is leading the CPN (Maoist Centre) in the government, had organised a press meet and said he has been waiting for the party decision.  “If the party decides to quit the government, we are ready to pull out of government,” said Minister Mahara at the press meet.

The CPN (Maoist Centre) came under moral pressure to quit after PM Deuba expanded Cabinet inducting eight ministers from Rastriya Prajatantra Party. It has been learnt that PM Deuba is preparing to convert the CPN (MC) Cabinet members as ministers without portfolio if the party stays put in Cabinet.