CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli has proposed the name of CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal as the president.
In the meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' at Baluwatar on Wednesday morning, Oli proposed to make Nepal the president.
A leader close to Oli informed that, in addition to Madhav Nepal, the name of UML Vice Chairman Subas Nembang was also discussed during the meeting.
The Unified Socialist has adopted a strategy to put forward one among Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal for the presidency if there is a national consensus or if there is a chance to win.
UML Chairman Oli and Prime Minister Prachanda held a one-on-one meeting in Baluwatar on this morning to decide on the presidential candidate.
Jhala Nath Khanal, a senior leader of the Unified Socialist, however, said that he did not receive any proposal for the presidency from anywhere.
Speaking to media persons following the secretariat meeting held at the party's central office in Aloknagar on today afternoon, Khanal said, "We are not yet aware of the president's proposal." It is just a rumor. The chairman (Madhav Nepal) did not brief us anything about it." He further said that it is difficult to get along with UML right now.
As the date of nomination for the presidential election is inching closer, the top party leaders have intensified meetings. The nomination for the presidential election is scheduled for February 25.
On the other hand, the Nepali Congress has also adopted a strategy to field its own candidate for the presidency and win the poll with the help of the Maoist Center. The NC is preparing to nominate senior leader Ram Chandra Paudel as the presidential candidate.
A few days ago, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba reached the Prime Minister's residence, Baluwatar, along with top leaders.
UML Chairman Oli is shocked after the NC, which gave a vote of confidence to Prachanda, asked him to help in the presidential election. Hence, UML is trying to push Madhav Nepal forward to foil the NC move in the presidential election.
The Maoist center, which is the third largest party in the federal parliament, is decisive for the presidential election.
