Paudyal to be NC's Prime Ministerial candidate

{image-ram chandra paudyal_13082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Kathmandu, Aug 13: The Nepali Congress said that the Vice President of the party Ram Chandra Paudyal will be presented as the party's candidate for Prime Minister. The candidate was decided after the party could not come to an agreement with the Maoists but decided to file the candidacy for the post of Prime Minister scheduled to be elected at a Constituent Assembly (CA) meeting on Friday, Aug 15.

At a meeting on Wednesday, Aug 13 at the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's residence, the top leadership of the party decided to be in opposition saying that the Maoists have not implemented the past agreements, Kantipur quoted Central Committee member of the Party Laxman Ghumire as saying.

Mr Ghimire said that the NC will register its nomination for the Prime Ministerial candidate to ensure the party's presence at the parliament, even if there is a chance of losing.

A meeting of the party will be held at about 1500 hrs in Kathmandu to discuss the future strategy of the party following the alliance of the leftist parties. The Maoist party is poised to form a government with the support of UML and other small left parties.

The Nepali Congress has set seven precondition to the Maoists that includes dismantling of its military structure and Young Communist League, return seized property and allow displaced people to return to their home.

Maoist party has said that party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal who is known as Prachand will be the next Prime Minister.

UNI