Koirala holds joint consultation on new govt, MJF leaders absent:-

Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala held joint consultation with leaders of CPN (UML), Terai Madhesh Democratic Party (TMDP) and Sadbhawana Party (SP) as part of the attempt to form a new ruling coalition headed by UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, on Thursday.

Koirala had invited leaders of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), but they didn't attend citing their internal consultations continuing since yesterday.

In the meeting held at Koirala's Maharajgunj residence, TMDP and SP leaders promised their support to the UML-led government and agreed to cooperate with the signature campaign being initiated by the NC for the new government.

UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, who was present at the meeting, told reporters that NC and UML are ready to implement the agreements signed between the government and the then United Democratic Madhesi Front and that the Madhesi parties are convinced by the pledge.

MJF's support is a must for the NC-UML combine to form the new government. The Madhesi party that was part of the Maoist-led government has not been able to decide whether to support the UML-led government or to ally with the Maoists.

The MJF parliamentary party is clearly divided on the issue. Party chairman Upendra Yadav and vice chairman J.P Gupta are in favour of an alliance with the Maoists while parliamentary leader Bijay Gachhadar has been lobbying for the UML-led coalition government.

मधेसी पार्टी हरु गिरिजाले खनेको खाल्टो हो, अहिले गिरिजा अफै तयो खाल्टोमा फस्दैछ।

The key player in formation of new government Madhesi Janadhikar Forum has failed to give its final decision on Wednesday regarding its support in the new coalition.

The parliamentary party meeting held Wednesday evening could not reach a conclusion. Though most lawmakers demanded ‘voting’ to decide party’s position, president Upendra Yadav and vice president Jay Prakash Prasad Gupta, who have been opposing support to UML-led government, purposely postponed the meeting until Friday.

The party has called its central committee meeting for Thursday where establishment faction has majority support.

Few lawmakers also suggested the party leadership to support the UML-led coalition to be formed under the leadership of Madhav Kumar Nepal without joining the new government.

Parliamentary party leader Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar has been advocating for UML-led government. The sharp division in the party leadership in the run up to formation of new government has created possibility for split in the party.