Nepali Congress leaders approached UML with a proposal to dissolve the Constituent Assembly, impose presidential rule and promulgate a new constitution by forming a Constitutional Commission, UML Vice Chairperson Ashok Rai has said.

He did not disclose the names of the leaders who came up with the proposal. "Don't force me to be offensive. This was proposed in a formal talk with them two weeks ago," he said.

"We should understand the meaning of ministers saying the CA is no longer necessary," he said.

Rai has called the reinstatement of the army chief unconstitutional and criticised the 18 parties who backed the president's move. He is the only leader of the coalition vocal in criticising the president's move.

Nepali Congress spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC refuted Rai's claim, saying none of the leaders in the Nepali Congress at any level hold such opinions. "It is irresponsible on the part of such a senior leader to make such remarks without specifying the name of the person," he said.