Poudel's candidacy for national unity: PM Dahal

Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' had said the consensus candidacy of Nepali Congress senior leader and former Speaker Ramchandra Poudel for the Presidential election is itself a message of national unity. 

The election to the post of President is taking place on March 9. 

In his address to an orientation programme organised by the President Election Campaign Mobilisation and Coordination Committee for House of Representatives and National Assembly members from eight political parties here today, the Prime Minister said the party decided to seek a new political equation following the January 10 statement of Chair of the then ruling alliance CPN (UML) in a session of the House of Representatives. As the Prime Minister said, the statement supported the move to dissolve the House of Representatives.

As he said, the statement by CPN (UML) and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in the lower session made him think about the alliance with the UML. 

"We were flatly against the move to dissolve the lower house twice in the past as we were together for the protection of the Constitution and democracy. We took to the streets to restore the House as we were dedicated to the protection of democracy, the Constitution and to move towards the journey of development and prosperity as aspired by the people. But, we were lost a bit in the middle, but are now back on track. Our efforts will be for strengthening the alliance among eight political parties", he mentioned.

According to leader Dahal, the common candidate of eight political parties for the Presidential election has the support of ten parties and he is sure to win the election. He said," Nepal's politics is marred by ups and downs. We are still amidst the political crisis and challenges." 

PM Dahal said "I got an unexpected vote in the course of taking a vote of confidence from the House of Representatives on January 10. It was a basis of national consensus itself. In the last meeting at Baluwatar, I seriously told Chair Oli that the country is in a difficult situation. Let's together propose Nepali Congress candidate for the presidential post and forge a national consensus environment. But Chair Oli did not agree. So we are now in the present situation with maximum consensus. "

He shared that protection of the constitution and democracy was a big thing for him, not the post of Prime Minister. 

The Prime Minister opined, "We have made leader Poudel as the candidate for presidential election. We believe that he will play the role of guardian for the protection of the constitution and democracy."