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The meeting between Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli ended inconclusively on Wednesday. During the meeting held in Baluwatar, Dahal and Oli discussed the presidential candidate. The meeting ended without making a concrete decision after both of them refused to budge from their stance. Oli has been saying that the UML candidate should be appointed as the next President as per the previous agreement. Ruling coalition parties—Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Rastriya Swatantra Party—have also been saying that the UML’s candidate should be made the President as per the past agreement. PM Dahal, however, has been seeking a candidate of national consensus for the post of President. The politics took a new turn after the Nepali Congress gave a vote of confidence to Prime Minister Dahal. After he got the vote of confidence, PM Dahal has inclined to the Nepali Congress of late.

The Democratic Socialist Party (DSP) has urged the Nepali Congress to support its Chairman Mahantha Thakur as the country's new President. A team including Chairman Thakur met Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday and urged him to make Thakur the President on the basis of national consensus. Earlier on Tuesday, the DSP had decided to lobby all the political parties to make Thakur the President. The team of Thakur held separate meetings with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday afternoon. As the time to file candidacy for the presidential election is approaching nearer, senior leaders of the major political parties have intensified meetings and behind-the-curtain negotiations. The DSP had participated in the alliance of the Nepali Congress in the elections to the House of Representatives and Province Assembly. Rajendra Mahato, Anil Jha, Sarbendra Shukla and Sharad Singh Bhandari were present in the meeting.      

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday. During the meeting held in Baluwatar, the duo discussed the presidential election. With the date of the presidential election approaching nearer, the meeting between Prime Minister Dahal and Chinese Ambassador Chen is seen as meaningful. Prior to this meeting, the Chinese Ambassador had also met CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. According to a Baluwatar source, Chinese Ambassador Chen had discussed implementation of the BRI project, Nepal’s infrastructure development, Nepal-China relations and mutual interest with Prime Minister Dahal on February 16. On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal said that the agreements signed earlier with China will be implemented effectively. Ambassador Song said that China will always be with Nepal on the path of stability, development and prosperity. China, India, America and the European Union have been showing interest in the presidential election.

Chairman of CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has urged one and all to pay special attention for the preservation of unique festivals and cultures of different communities in the country. In a message of best wishes on the occasion of Gyalpo Lhosar today, the former PM has said that festivals and cultures traditionally marked by different communities have culturally enriched our country. Chairman Nepal further stated that such festivals should be promoted since they unite ethnically, linguistically and culturally diverse Nepali society. Wishing to all Nepalis at home and abroad on the occasion of Gyalpo Lhosar, Chairman Nepal has said that development and prosperity obtained from all’s common efforts would contribute in nation building.