Maoists don't have required majority,Koirala should lead govt:Deuba

Kathmandu, Apr 26 (UNI) The Nepali Congress should lead the government as the Maoists don't have the required two-thirds majority, a Nepal ex-premier today said.

Talking to journalists at a tea reception hosted by newly elected CA member and NC leader Prakash Man Singh, former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said the NC should continue to lead the coalition government.

''The Maoists are the largest single party but they don't have the necessary majority to change the government. And the constitution says the government should be run through consensus among the seven parties,'' said Mr Deuba.

He further clarified his party's preference, ''Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has played a key role in bringing the peace process to this stage and in successfully holding the constituent assembly election. So we think he should lead the government in future as well.'' Mr Koirala, who was sitting next to Deuba, seemed to approve of Mr Deuba's view. When asked whether he wanted to keep leading the government, the prime minister said, ''We have agreed to run the government through consensus. I don't know anything else.'' Talking to the Kathmandu Post, general secretary of the Nepali Congress, Bimalendra Nidhi said there was a consensus government in place now and the parties have already agreed to run the government under consensus even after the CA polls.

''The Maoists must clearly state why the government leadership should be changed,'' he added.

He claimed that if the parties were to change the government, they had two options on hand, either oust the present government through a two-third majority or to form a new government on the basis of a new agreement.

"As the people have not rendered any political party acting alone capable of choosing the first option, the parties have to move ahead through consensus,'' said Mr Nidhi.

''Under this option anybody trusted by all the parties including new forces like the MPRF and TMDP can lead a new government,'' he added.

UNI XC RJ KP1755