Online Khabar

Kathmandu, October 27. The Nepali Congress has decided to field its senior leader KB Gurung for the post of President. But this has not stopped party General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula from striving for the top post.

In a new twist, Sitaula has asked UCPN-Maoist Chair Prachanda to make him President. Prachanda, in turn, has informed Prime Minister KP Oli about Sitaula’s proposal.

Sitaula has reportedly assured Prachanda NC will ultimately join the government if he gets the top post.

“We have received assurances that the Congress will join the government in 8-9 months, if not earlier, if Sitaula gets the top post,” a Maoist standing committee member told Online Khabar.

A leader said Prachanda has already apprised PM Oli of Sitaula’s intent.

Sitaula is striving for presidency after his bid to involve the Congress in the prime ministerial race and clinch the posts of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister failed.

Despite Sitaula’s desire for the important post, Congress central working committee has already made a formal decision to field senior leader KB Gurung for the same.

PM’s counter-proposal

On his part, KP Oli has floated a counterproposal to the Congress, according to a source. Oli assured that he is ready to offer presidency to the NC if it gives a guarantee his government will last two years, at the least.

Sitaula wants presidency, while Oli wants his government to last at least two years, the source said.

Maoist party positive

In the meantime, UCPN-Maoist standing committee opted for a middle path, indicating it is willing to offer presidency to the Congress.

In a veiled manner, the committee meeting held on Tuesday gave green light to Sitaula’s proposal, deciding to search for a “consensus candidate for the top post.”

A Maoist standing committee member told Online Khabar: Since we are a member of the ruling coalition, we can’t support Sitaula’s candidacy outright. That’s why we are calling for a consensus candidate. If finding a consensus candidate is impossible, we will vote for Bidhya Bhandari. That’s the spirit of the standing committee meeting.”

Acknowledging Sitaula’s positive role in the constitution making process, the Maoist party said it is willing to support him for the top post if parties agrees on his name.

Sitaula is likely to be consensus candidate if the UML gives its go ahead today, the source informed.

If Sitaula manages to become the consensus candidate for the President’s post, UML will claim the Vice-president’s post, the source informed.