Prachanda likely to become Prime Minister of Nepal

Kathmandu, Aug 14 : The Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) have agreed to form a new government under the leadership of the Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda.

During a meeting at the UML parliamentary party office at Singha Durbar here, the three party leaders signed a seven-point agreement on the formation of the new government.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Prachanda said the understanding has opened up doors for easy drafting of a new constitution with two-third members in the Constituent Assembly (CA) on one side.

"The alliance would work towards addressing the grievances of the people and meet the sentiments of the people for economic and social transformation of Nepal," he added.

The three parties signed a seven-point understanding which says other parties will also be included in the government, draft Common Minimum Programme of the coalition government and take decision on security agencies with consensus among the ruling partners.

Similarly, the Maoists will draft a commitment paper for implementation of the past agreements and form a high-level committee to take important decisions.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress has filed the nomination of its senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba for the Prime Minister's post.

Nepali Congress has already announced its decision to sit in the opposition after the big four parties failed to reach an agreement on formation of a consensus government.

The Constituent Assembly is set to elect the Prime Minister on August 15.

Article 38 (2) of the Interim Constitution provides that the Prime Minister shall be elected through a two-thirds majority of the members of the Legislature-Parliament, if consensus cannot be reached, Kantipur reported.

ANI