KATHMANDU, Feb 21: A meeting was held between CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Madhav Kumar Nepal, Chairman of CPN (Unified Socialist) Party, which was split from the UML.

Both leaders have kept the meeting confidential. Their meeting was held in the wake of the fast approaching presidential election despite bitterness in their relations.

Oli and Nepal met at the initiative of Bishnu Paudel, Prithvi Subba Gurung and Mahesh Basnet from the UML. In addition, Som Prasad Pandey also met UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali. "We didn't know where the meeting took place between them", said an official of UML, confirming the meeting.

According to sources, they met in Maharajgunj on Sunday evening after Oli returned from Biratnagar. "Things have progressed to the point that Oli is ready to give Nepal the post of  president," the source added.