Pokhara, June 8

CPN UML Vice-chairperson Bam Dev Gautam today admitted that his party and then UCPN-Maoist had reached a gentleman’s agreement on the formation of a government.

“However, it won’t be ethical to disclose details in public,” he said.

Speaking at a press meet organised by Press Chautari, Kaski, on Wednesday, Gautam said they were trying their best to continue with the coalition government led by his party’s Chairperson KP Sharma Oli.

“If consensus can’t be forged, we wish that a national consensus government led by KP Sharma Oli will be formed. We have initiated exercise to form a national consensus government by including the Nepali Congress,” he said.

Gautam claimed that the government was committed to effectively implement the recently unveiled budget as the government has prepared plans and policies accordingly.

Hinting at declining economic growth rate, Vice-chair Gautam said the country needed to take a leap towards economic growth for ensuring prosperity.

“Though the majority of the population relies on agriculture sector, it has been worst hit. Hence, the government has allocated considerable amount of budget to it. This budget has given justice to the Madhesi people,” he clarified.

Gautam argued that his party had the responsibility of reconstructing structures damaged during last year’s devastating earthquake, implementing the constitution, forging unity among political parties and making concrete the developmental activities, among others.

He also said that ideological differences among the leaders of his party would easily be sorted out.