Nepal: UML to field its PM candidate today

Kathmandu, July 19 (ANI): The CPN (UML), the third largest party in the Constituent Assembly (CA) will here today decide to name its candidate for the prime minister's post.

A standing committee meeting of the party held at party headquarters, Balkhu on Sunday decided to finalise whether to field a candidate for the post or support Nepali Congress (NC) for government leadership by holding a central committee meeting.

The standing committee decided to refer the issue to the central committee due to differences among its members on whether to stake claim for government leadership or not.

At the standing committee meeting on Sunday, chairman Jhala Nath Khanal asked leaders to forward his name as the prime ministerial candidate from the party saying Unified CPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda had assured to support him if he stands for the post.

Meanwhile, the ten fringe parties represented in the Constituent Assembly (CA) have said that the UCPN (Maoist) should lead the new government.

In a meeting here on Sunday, the fringe parties said that the Maoists should get the government leadership.

"This is a single front of secularism, federalism and democracy," said Maoist Vice Chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai.

"The front has laid stress on the Maoist leadership in the new government," he added.

The Maoists are also scheduled to hold meeting with Madhes-based parties later today.

The election to choose the 34th prime minister would be held on July 21.

As per the schedule, anyone from among the 601-member parliament can file their candidacy from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on July 20. The secretariat will publish the list of candidates at parliament by 5:30 p.m. the same day, Kantipur quoted (ANI)