CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has stressed the need for a consensus government in order to implement the constitution and address the grievances of the agitating Madhesi and Janajati parties.

For that purpose, Dahal said he could also accept incumbent Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as the leader of a unity government if the major parties agreed to it.

Speaking at an interaction in Nepalgunj on Thursday, Dahal said that he sensed growing threats of constitution not being implemented. “Chances are that the country will have a misfortune if the constitution is not implemented by January,” he said. “Elements bent on making the statute a failure are getting active,” the leader of a coalition partner warned. Dahal’s remarks come at a time when rumours about the leaders of the Nepali Congress and his Maoist party discussing ways to topple the Oli government are doing rounds.

Chairman Dahal tried to brush off allegations that the Maoist Centre was only aiming for the seat of power when it raised the issue of consensus government.

He accused the incumbent government of delaying the reconstruction of structures damaged by the earthquakes last year. “The unity demonstrated by the political parties after the earthquake has weakened,” Dahal remarked.