Saying that people have given mandate to the Nepali Congress to lead the government, leaders said that that the leadership should not be given to the Maoist Center, who has secured just 32 seats.
The leaders held a meeting to make a strategy before the meeting of the coalition. According to the Article 76 (2) of the Constitution, President Bidya Devi Bhandari had set a deadline of 5 pm today to claim the post of prime minister by securing a majority. During a meeting of the coalition held on Saturday, the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Center) failed to reach an agreement after they refused to budge from their stance. Earlier this morning, Congress leader Nidhi had reached Khumaltar to cajole Dahal. Nidhi had reached Dahal’s residence taking the message of Deuba. The NC leader had urged Deuba to leave his stance of becoming the prime minister. According to a source, Nidhi said that the Nepali Congress will cooperate with the CPN-UML if Dahal did not give up his claim for the post of prime minister. The Nepali Congress started talks with the UML after Dahal through party Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun on Saturday warned that they would leave the coalition if he did not get the post of prime minister. Soon after the meeting of the coalition, Prime Minister Deuba sent Nidhi to Balkot on Saturday evening. Nidhi conveyed Prime Minister Deuba’s notice to Oli and also that the Nepali Congress is ready to discuss possible power sharing with the UML.
