Nepal Maoists want only Prachanda as Prime Minister

Kathmandu, June 10 (ANI): The UCPN (Maoists) on Thursday put forward the name of party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda for the post of Prime Ministerial in the to-be formed national consensus government.

A meeting of the party office bearers held here asserted that no alternatives other than Prachanda would be acceptable for the prime ministerial post.

Talking to reporters after meeting, party Vice-chairman Narayan Kazi Shrestha said his party understands that the Nepali Congress the UML are putting forth one after another conditions to keep it away from power.

"But there should be no doubt that the party wants the formation of a national consensus government under its leadership and it will be led by Prachanda, Kantipur quoted Shrestha as, saying.

"Earlier, we said the alternative to Prachanda could be discussed if the other parties pick up haggle over his leadership. But we have not given up our claim on government leadership. Prachanda will take the government leadership and there is not debate about it," he said.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress Vice-President Prakash Man Singh said his party is ready to lead the government if needed.

Speaking at a press meet, Singh said the UPCN (Maoist) and the CPN-UML have already led the government, but both have failed to take the peace process to a logical conclusion.

"So if there is consensus among all the parties NC is ready to lead the government," he added.

He also urged the Maoists to implement the recent three-point deal between the major three parties wherein they agreed to complete all the remaining tasks of the peace process, Kantipur reports. (ANI)