MCC can be taken forward only on basis of national consensus: CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Dahal

KATHMANDU, September 10: CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US foreign assistance agency, can be taken ahead only on the basis of national consensus. 

Stating that there are various sorts of disputes and confusions regarding MCC, he said they were of the view that some topics of this Compact should be amended.

Also the former Prime Minister, Dahal expressed this during a meeting with MCC Vice President Fatima Sumar. Sumar had reached Dahal's residence at Khumaltar this morning for a courtesy call. 

Chair Dahal said in the meeting that they were clear the MCC should be taken ahead only on the basis of consensus among the political parties of Nepal, Dahal's press coordinator Bishnu Sapkota shared. 

"We are of the same view that MCC should be taken forward based on consensus among the political parties of Nepal," the CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair said. He was of the opinion that they were for taking ahead the MCC only by forging a common understanding among their five-party alliance.

On the occasion, MCC Vice President Sumar said that she has come to Nepal to hold discussions with the political parties here. She stated it was their wish the MCC project moves ahead based on the common consensus among Nepal's political parties. 

Giving information regarding the utility of the project, Vice President Sumar opined that it would be easier to proceed ahead only on the basis of transparent discussions. She said they have not come here with the intention of exerting any pressure and so this visit should be taken as a routine visit. 

The MCC Vice President had also wished for the health recovery of Sita Dahal, leader Dahal's spouse, on the occasion.  

Sumar arrived in Nepal on Thursday as the MCC Compact awaits ratification from parliament. She held meetings with CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal shortly after her arrival. Sumar has arrived in connection with taking stock of the status of the MCC project when there are contradictory views regarding this compact.