Maoist chief Prachanda has said he was ready to become the prime minister if there is consensus among Nepal's major political parties, including Madhesi parties and NC, as he refuted claims of being "power-hungry".
Speaking at the 4th district convention of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre) in Dolakha district headquarters Charikot, he refuted allegations that he was "power hungry".
"Everyone alleges that Prachanda is power-hungry. But it is this Prachanda who supported Bidya Devi Bhandari for the post of President and KP Oli for Prime Minister," he said.
Prachanda said he will take leadership if a national government is formed with Nepali Congress (NC) and Madhes-based parties on board.
"Regardless of rumours, the 9-point agreement reached with the CPN-UML states that if a national government is formed with NC and Madhes-based political parties on board, I will take the leadership," he said yesterday.
Oil and Prachanda signed a nine-point agreement while forming a coalition government in October last year under which Oli was supposed to hand over power to Prachanda after tabling this year's budget, which was unveiled last week.
"If I become the prime minister, the first thing I'll do is convert the soft loan of NRs 300,000 for the earthquake victims into a grant," he said.
Prachanda, known for his anti-India stance, pledged to establish the much-talked about film city in Dolakha and to resume the Tamakoshi-III hydropower project that was abandoned by a Norwegian company.
Oli has been facing a hard time preserving his coalition government. Last month, Prachanda was reported to have withdrew support from the government, but in a U-turn Maoists decided to continue their support.
Oli faces criticism from opposition and also from within his own party. Maoists and NC accuses Oli of failing to implement the new Constitution, address the problems related to the Madhesis, expedite post-quake reconstruction, failing to check soaring prices and promoting black marketing.
Oli in a public event yesterday said that some of his party leaders "have failed to understand what the government is doing," hinting at two former prime ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhanalath Khanal, both senior leaders of his party.
The two party leaders have become very critical of the Nepal prime minister on public forums.
