CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that consensus will not be reached on the issue of leadership by setting preconditions.
Responding to the remarks made by Senior Vice-chairman Ishwar Pokharel during an interaction with editors in Kathmandu on Thursday, Oli said that consensus can only be achieved through dialogue.
"Consensus comes from discussion. Can there be consensus by setting preconditions?" Oli said.
During an interaction with editors on Wednesday, Senior Vice-chairman Pokharel had said that consensus could be reached if Oli announced someone other than himself as party chair at the general convention.
"Does it become consensus if one says 'we will reach consensus if you step aside'? He should tell me. He has not told me. He has announced his candidacy outside," he said.
Oli also said that he would not pressure anyone for consensus.
"If consensus is reached through dialogue, that is consensus. We do not want to do it through pressure," he said.
The UML general convention is set to begin on Saturday.
Both Oli and Pokharel are preparing to run for the party's next leadership.