Nepal political parties discuss new government formation

Kathmandu, Jul 20 (ANI): With just a day left for the election of a new Prime Minister in Nepal, political parties have intensified their internal and bilateral discussions on government formation.

The UCPN (Maoist) on Tuesday decided to wait for the CPN-UML decision concerning the leadership in the government.

Maoist Secretary CP Gajurel has said the party has been in limbo as the UML decision on government leadership is yet to come.

The meeting of Maoist office bearers held on Monday had decided to support UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal if the party fails to form its own government.

Meanwhile, a meeting between Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda and Vice Chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai is underway at the latter's residence in Shantinagar this morning.

So far, only Nepali Congress (NC) has announced candidacy for the post. It has forwarded party vice president and Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel as its candidate.

The election to choose the country's 34th prime minister would be held tomorrow.

As per the schedule, anyone from among the 601-member parliament can file their candidacy from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. today. The secretariat will publish the list of candidates at parliament by 5:30 p.m.

President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav had summoned the political parties to elect the prime minister based on the majority as per Article 38(2) of the interim Constitution after the three main parties could not reach consensus regarding the formation of a consensus government despite many rounds of bilateral and multilateral discussions. (ANI)