Maoists still trying to convince NC to join govt

As the race for formation of new government continues, the central secretariat of the CPN-Maoist today discussed ways to involve Nepali Congress in the next government.

An informal meeting of the Maoist secretariat held Wednesday morning decided to make more efforts to bring NC in the coalition government, party spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara told reporters after the meeting.

At the meeting, Maoist leaders also discussed the party's strategies in the unfolding political situation and probable alliance with CPN (UML), Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and other small communist parties in the constituent assembly.

Congress leaders, however, said they would sit in the opposition and hinted that they would field their candidate for prime minister to avoid unopposed election of a Maoist prime minister.

In the meantime, central committee members of the UML endorsed the decision of the standing committee to continue efforts for a consensus government until the last minute but look for alternatives if Nepali Congress refuses to the defense ministry to other parties.

A meeting of the party's central committee members available in the capital held Wednesday suggested party leadership to go ahead with the decision. The meeting was still underway at the party headquarters Balkhu when this report was filed. nepalnews.com ia Aug 13 08

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