Kathmandu : The ruling Nepali Congress and the CPN-Maoist Center have given an ‘ultimatum’ to CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal to decide whether to join the government or not. Both the parties have put pressure on Nepal to join the government as the cabinet could not be expanded even three weeks after the formation of the government.

The five-party alliance, which formed a front against the then KP Oli-led government, has been under pressure since the new government was formed a long time ago. In such a situation, CPN-Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda reached Koteshwor on Thursday afternoon and met the leader.

He said that the delay in the expansion of the government had sent a negative message and urged Nepal to take a decision soon, sources said. Prime Minister Deuba is preparing to expand the cabinet by tomorrow or Sunday. According to sources, the cabinet will be expanded after the CPN (MC) and Janata Samajwadi Party will be provided the name list to the prime minister by tomorrow. Congress is finalizing a new face to become a minister.

Meanwhile, it is said that Prachanda reached Koteshwor and gave the leader Nepal time till tomorrow. But leader Nepal is not in a position to decide to join the government till tomorrow. Pressure is mounting on him to settle the UML dispute.

UML Chairman Oli has instructed General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel and Deputy General Secretary Bishnu Poudel to resolve the UML dispute by Saturday.

Leader Nepal, on the other hand, is determined to make a political loss if the UML joins the government until it is legally divided. But he is being pressured by leaders of his own group to join the government. Nepal is in a dilemma because of the two views that the UML should unite within its own group and start planning for a new party. That is why Nepal is still undecided for some time and there is no possibility of joining the government immediately, says a source.