UML quits coalition govt, withdraws support

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML has decided to exit the coalition government led by CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

A meeting of the party’s Secretariat Committee held on Monday also decided to withdraw its support to the government.

UML Vice President Bishnu Prasad Poudel was representing the party in the coalition government as a Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. Other UML leaders in the Dahal cabinet included Jwala Kumari Sah, Damodar Bhandari, Rajendra Kumar Rai, Bimala Rai Poudyal, Padam Giri, Bhagwati Chaudhary and Hari Prasad Uprety.

UML was dissatisfied with the Maoist Center after the party decided to support NC leader Ram Chandra Poude’s candidacy in the presidential election. It, however, had been adding that it still sticks to the agreement to form a coalition government reached with Maoist Center and other fringe parties on December 25 last year.

UML is angry with CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Dahal for preventing Minister for Foreign Affairs Bimala Rai Poudyal from flying to Geneva to participate in the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting.