UML-PSP joint task force formed for power cooperation

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML and People’s Socialist Party (PSP, Janata Samajwadi Party) have formed a joint task force to hold talks on issues including power cooperation. The task force was formed after discussions took place between the two sides.

The task force includes UML Deputy General Secretary and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Parliamentary Party Deputy Leader Subash Nemwang and Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. Rajan Bhattarai. Similarly, Sarvendranath Shukla and Laxman Lal Karna are said to be from PSP.

After the Supreme Court decision, the CPN-UML is the first party in the parliament with 121 seats. However, the UML has been in discussions with the other party for a majority.

In the 275-member House of Representatives, 138 seats are needed for a majority. Currently, Bijay Kumar Gachhadar and Aftab Alam of the Nepali Congress and Harinarayan Rauniyar and Remshalal Chaudhary of the People’s Socialist Party are suspended.

According to sources, People’s Socialist Party wants to move ahead with talks with UML as the Prime Minister is positive for the release of Resham Chaudhary.

Chaudhary’s father was a UML candidate in the last state assembly election while Resham himself came from UML student politics. As his case is in court and the process has to be settled, UML is also discussing this.

People’s Socialist Party leaders Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Upendra Yadav are not in favour of cooperation with UML. However, the former Rastriya Janta Party leaders including Mahanta Thakur, Rajendra Mahato and Raj Kishor Yadav are in discussions with UML.