The parties agreed to defer the prime ministerial election and to pay tribute to Maoist lawmaker Ram Kumari Yadav, who succumbed to burn injuries on Saturday.[break]
The understanding was reached among the chief whips of the UCPN (Maoist), NC and UML Post Bahadur Bogati, Laxman Ghimire and Bhim Acharya, respectively -- at a meeting with Speaker Subas Nembang at the latter´s office in Singha Durbar. A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of parliament on Wednesday will take official decision in this regard.
"Maoist Chief Whip Bogati proposed that the vote be postponed. I and Bhim Acharya supported it as it is a sensitive matter," Ghimire told Republica. He said they also reached understanding to hold the election on August 22 or later though the matter will be officially decided at BAC meeting.
The three party leaders agreed not to hold the election prior to August 22 as some NC lawmakers will be engaged in the party´s district conventions from Thursday to Saturday.
NC conveys displeasure to UML
Meanwhile NC leaders on Tuesday conveyed their displeasure to CPN-UML top leaders over the latter´s decision to continue to remain neutral in the parliamentary vote for prime minister.
Acting President of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala, Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel, and leaders Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and Krishna Sitaula met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Tuesday morning and expressed their displeasure.
"We told the prime minister and CPN-UML leaders that withdrawal of candidacy of prime minister will invite complication," Mahat said about the meeting.
UML senior leader K P Oli and Bishnu Poudel were present at the meeting.
NC leaders also told the prime minister that discarding the ongoing process of the prime minister´s election by amending the parliament´s regulations will be undemocratic.
In the meantime, Nepali Congress leaders held separate meetings with Madhes-based parties seeking support for prime ministerial candidate Ram Chandra Poudel.
In response Madhesi parties told the leaders that the United Democratic Madhesi Front wants credible assurances on Madhesi demands in return for support.
"We told the NC leaders that they should first ask CPN-UML to change their decision to remain neutral and then give credible assurances over Madhesi demands," said Jintendra Sonal, joint general secretary of Tarai Madhesh Democratic Party.
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