Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the government's decision to provide Rs 5 million to Sujata Koirala for her breast cancer treatment was taken after pressure from NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba.

In an interview with TV personality Bhusan Dahal in his programme Fireside, PM Dahal said Deuba put pressure on him to give the amount to Sujata. "She is a senior female leader of a party and daughter of late Girija Prasad Koirala.  She has also written a letter to my name demanding 10 million rupees," said PM Dahal. "The decision was taken after Deuba ji said the amount be given at any cost".

PM Dahal, however, said it was wrong to dole out cash to VVIPs for their treatment. While the Health Ministry proposal to put a ceiling for funds to VVIPs is still under consideration, Dahal said Sujata was provided with the money as the policy had not materialised yet.

The decision to give the amount to Sujata has been widely criticized with many flaying the government to provide the amount to a resourceful person like Sujata.

Dahal said the delay in registering constitution amendment proposal was also due to NC president Deuba. "He urged to push the proposal after the conclusion of Tarun Dal convention. He has informed Mahantha Thakur, Upendra Yadav and Rajendra Mahato that the delay was due to him and not me," said Dahal in the interview.