KATHMANDU: Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” on Monday visited Co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal at his residence in Koteshwor, where the two leaders discussed the country’s evolving political situation and possible new power equations.

Prachanda arrived at Nepal’s residence at around 9:00 am to inquire about the latter’s health, as Nepal has been unwell for the past few days. During the meeting, Prachanda wished him a speedy recovery before holding detailed discussions on the latest political developments and efforts to form a new governing alliance.

The meeting came shortly after Prachanda returned from an official visit to Sri Lanka, following which he has reportedly stepped up consultations over a possible political realignment.

While Prachanda was abroad, Co-coordinator Nepal had assigned senior leaders Barshaman Pun and Pramesh Hamal to initiate dialogue on a new political equation. The two leaders held extensive discussions with CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, although similar talks with Nepali Congress leader Gagan Thapa did not materialize.

After returning to Kathmandu, Prachanda was briefed by Pun and Hamal on the progress of those discussions. Following Monday’s meeting with Nepal, he also consulted Pun, Hamal, Beduram Bhusal and other senior leaders on the future of alliance-building.

NCP leaning toward cooperation with UML

According to party sources, both Prachanda and Madhav Nepal have reached a broad understanding that cooperation with the CPN-UML should be taken forward.

The move comes amid growing pressure from party leaders and cadres to unite communist forces ahead of the upcoming local and provincial elections.

Sources said the NCP and UML had been willing to work together in provincial governments, but negotiations with the Nepali Congress gradually weakened after the Congress maintained its preference for a two-party arrangement.

With the UML-Congress partnership widely viewed as having effectively collapsed, leaders from both communist parties are said to be increasingly in favor of forging an NCP-UML alliance to strengthen the communist movement.

Party sources also said Prachanda is expected to hold what is being described as a decisive meeting with UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli later on Monday to discuss the proposed alliance.

A senior source close to Prachanda said the party chief had held comprehensive discussions with Madhav Nepal at his residence and would now meet Oli in an effort to finalize the remaining issues surrounding the new political equation.