CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is likely to lead the new coalition government.

According to sources, Nepali Congress President and current Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has tentatively agreed to hand over the government leadership to Dahal for 2.5 years, after which the former will become the prime minister.

It is almost agreed that NC will get the president and Maoist prime minister, while discussions aimed at forming provincial governments are underway, said a top NC leader requesting anonymity.

CPN (Unified Socialist) and other fringe parties are ready to support Dahal for securing majority votes in the parliament.

On Thursday, Maoist party selected Dahal as the party's parliamentary party leader. A Maoist leader said as parties have agreed to keep the current coalition intact, sharing of major positions among its members is natural.

From Thursday evening, current coalition partners are in intensive discussion to finalize the power-sharing deal.