Kathmandu, March 6
The Madhesh-based Rastriya Janata Party is positive about joining the KP Oli government following negotiations with the Prime Minister, it has been learnt.
According to RJP sources, party coordinator Mahnta Thakur met Prime Minister Oli on Monday and held talks for around 90 minutes on the issue. Thakur later briefed his party members about the negotiations, sources say. “We believe that the Prime Minister really wants us to join his Cabinet,” one of the leaders present during the meeting told Onlinekhabar.
The party leadership is learnt to have entrusted Thakur with the responsibility to hold further negotiations with Oli on the issue. However, leaders Rajendra Mahato, Sharat Singh Bhandari and Raj Kishore Yadav said that the party should take the stance of rivals Forum-Nepal into consideration before making any commitment.
Sources that the Prime Minister and leaders of the RJP intensified talks from Sunday. But due to the Pakistani Prime Minister’s visit, Oli hasnt’ had time to hold final round of talks with the Madheshi leaders.
According to a source close to Baluwatar, Prime Minister Oli wants to consolidate his position by forming a government with support form all parties, except the Nepali Congress. He has already instructed party leaders not to worry about 1-2 ministries. But Upendra Yadav’s Forum Nepal and the Maoist Centre do not want RJP in the government.
