US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson held a meeting with Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Lingden on Wednesday.
During the meeting held at the RPP headquarters in Dhumbarahi, Thomspon enquired about the party's role in the post-election government which is in the making, according to RPP Spokesperson Mohan Shrestha who attended the meeting.
In response, Lingden told the ambassador that joining the new government is not the priority of his party at this moment. "The party will decide on the matter in a responsible manner if the country failed to get a new government on time," Shrestha quoted Lindgen as saying.
On his part, the US ambassador congratulated Lingden for being elected as a member of the House of Representatives. He also congratulated the RPP for their electoral success.
The pro-Hindu and pro-monarchy party, which has 14 seats in parliament, has decided to stay in opposition for the time being. The party will be one of kingmakers for the formation of the new government if it decides to join the new dispensation.
US envoy intensifies meetings
The US Ambassador has intensified meetings with top political leadership as the cross-party talks are underway to form the new government. On Tuesday, US ambassador Thompson met Prime Minister Deuba and enquired about the new government formation.
Thompson's meeting with Deuba was second of this kind in less than a month. It is learnt that US and India are in favor of the continuity of the incumbent democratic-left alliance in Nepal.
