Even as the CPN-UML continues to press two other major parties, especially the Nepali Congress, to respect a “gentlemen’s agreement” on the post constitution power-sharing, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has deferred any substantive discussion on the leadership of the new government till the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday.

Koirala told the UML during a three-party meeting on Monday to wait two days for a decision on the matter. The NC remains sharply divided over supporting UML Chairman KP Oli as the next prime minister.

Oli had categorically asked PM Koirala in the meeting to make his position clear on the understanding reached between the two parties while signing a 16-point agreement on May 8 and during the formation of the Koirala-led government last year.

Koirala did not respond to Oli’s question but urged him to wait for his party’s institutional decision on government formation. He also asked Oli not to take any decision on government formation in haste.

The third and fourth largest parties, UCPN (Maoist) and RPP-Nepal, have not taken an official position on the matter. But they have asked the two big parties to clear the air on the informal deal.

During the meeting, Koirala also dismissed media reports that he was keen to retain the post of prime minister. Meanwhile, the three-party interlocutors assigned to negotiate with the disgruntled parties briefed the top leaders on the progress.

NC and UML members on the panel said that a federal commission could take a final decision on the state delineation.

All-party meet

PM Koirala also organised an all-party meeting on Monday to solicit the views of the fringe parties on the new government. During the meeting, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal reiterated the “gentlemen’s agreement” for Oli to lead the next government. The smaller forces advised the major parties to move ahead on the basis of consensus in order to implement the new constitution.