UML yet to make its position on MCC agreement

KATHMANDU, Feb 21: The main opposition party, CPN-UML, is yet to make its decision regarding the Millennium Corporate Challenge (MCC). The government on Sunday tabled the MCC agreement in parliament despite huge public outcry and protests. The party has been maintaining to announce its position regarding the $500 million American grant only after the government’s decision, but the party has not made any decisions so far. At the time when the ruling alliance shares different positions regarding the MCC, the move of the main opposition party is considered crucial for passing or scrapping the MCC agreement. Subash Nembang, a key leader of UML, maintained that the party is confused about the government’s move to table the MCC. “While the government was tabling the MCC, lawmakers of the ruling alliance themselves were opposing it. The sister organizations of coalition members are staging protests against it. So, we are confused,” Nembang said. Similarly, Bishal Bhattari, the chief whip of UML, said that UML won’t make its position regarding the MCC until it is put up for voting. “UML won’t participate in any sort of parliamentary proceedings until our demands against Speaker Sapkota is addressed,” he further added.