Nepal's second largest political party, Nepali Congress that has been claiming the leadership of the next government has picked up its parliamentary party leader who also serves as one of the Vice-Presidents, Ram Chandra Paudel as the prime ministerial candidate.
The decision was made after two other likely prime ministerial candidates — former Prime Minister and senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and general secretary Kul Bahadur Gurung backed Mr. Paudel who has worked in the past as a Deputy Prime Minister and Speaker.
After declaring the prime ministerial candidate, Nepali Congress leaders held discussions with the UCPN (Maoist) to support them. The Maoists have yet not officially stated whether they would be a part of the team if Congress leads the government, but they have said they would play a constructive role. Reports, however, say the Maoists have refused to accept NC's leadership. The Maoists have themselves been demanding a government in their leadership. There are two voices heard in the Maoist party for the nomination of prime ministerial candidate — one for chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda' and another for vice chairman Baburam Bhattarai. The party is yet to announce its final candidate.
Meanwhile, the prime ministerial election is slated for July 21.
Although President Ram Baran Yadav had asked all the parties represented in the Constituent Assembly to form a consensus government, it could not happen and he asked them to form a majority government.
