Senior leader of CPN Madhav Kumar Nepal has claimed that Vice-chairman Bam Dev Gautam and General Secretary urged him to become the prime minister (PM).
"Bam Dev and Bishnu Paudel came and said 'You have to become PM, KP has not been able to perform.' I had said we will discuss," a leader quoted Nepal as saying while briefing those close to him at his residence in Koteshwore on Sunday.
Nepal added that the two stressed that the decision should be taken soon even when he assured to discuss the issue. "Bam Dev and Bishnu Paudel said 'KP does not listen to anyone. How can we keep someone who can’t even run the party as the PM? You have to become PM at any cost,'" the leader quoted Nepal as adding.
Nepal told the leaders that he did not take the proposal seriously and accused the two leaders who came to him with the proposal of double-crossing. "Those who came to me with the proposal for PM double-crossed. Becoming PM is not my wish. I only wanted to establish system and procedure in the party."
Nepal claimed that Gautam and Puadel had urged him to replace PM KP Sharma Oli long before the meeting of six secretariat members at Gautam's residence in Bhainsepati on April 23.
Leaders close to Nepal claim that Paudel was playing a dual role right from the beginning. "It can now be seen that he attended the Bhainsepati meeting to know about the plans and played a dual role," a leader stated. "Paudel eventually played a big role in bringing Gautam close to Oli in the last few days."
Nepal told the leaders close to him that he did not oppose Oli during the secretariat meeting on Saturday as his faction was reduced to minority after Gautam changed camp, and assured that the faction will take the fight to the upcoming standing committee meeting.
