Nepal PM won’t resign before consensus: UML

KATHMANDU - The CPN-UML on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal will step down only after the guarantee of past agreements on peace process and Constitution-writing.

During the Standing Committee (SC) meeting, the party has remarked that it was pointless on the Maoists’ part to pressurise the prime minister to step down before implementing the past agreements.

UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and leader KP Oli informed the SC members about the procedures of three-point agreement between the three parties.

Nepalnews quoted Khanal as, saying that the first point of the three-point agreement, which is about implementing the past agreements, and the third point (on ‘immediate resignation’ of the PM) should be implemented simultaneously.

“The second point of the agreement regarding the extension of the Constituent Assembly term has already been executed,” he said.

Earlier, UCPN (Maoist) Vice-Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai had said there would be serious consequences if Prime Minister doesn’t resign as per the agreement.

It had been agreed during the tri-partite meeting between the Maoists, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML last Friday that Prime Minister will resign within five days if Maoists agree on the extension of Constituent Assembly (CA)’s tenure.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the big three parties is underway to discuss the contentious political issues including the spirit of the three-point agreement.

The three parties resume the talks shortly after UML decision that Prime Minister would step down if the main opposition party agrees to implement the other conditions stated therein.

The meeting is being attended by Prime Minister as well. (ANI)