Political Churn Over Nepal Presidential Poll

With Nepal’s presidential election scheduled early next month, talks and serious bargaining are going on between major parties, particularly the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre). Congress leaders have reportedly met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and offered to revive their pre-election alliance after the presidential election slated for March 9. Prachanda and CPN-UML chair KP Oli are still haggling over a common candidate for President, with Oli insisting that Prachanda respect their December 25 power-sharing deal, as per which the presidency should go to Oli’s party, the CPN-UML. A two-hour meeting on Friday between Prachanda and Oli was inconclusive, according to UML and Maoist leaders. Oli reportedly warned Prachanda that their partnership could end if the Maoist Centre did not give the presidency to the UML. The Congress has, meanwhile, promised to support Dahal for the entire five-year period if the Maoist Centre backed a Congress nominee for President, reports The Kathmandu Post.