The parties in the ruling coalition are deliberating their efforts over the formation of a new government within the stipulated time frame given by the President.
The deadline given by President Bidya Devi Bhandari to members of political parties represented in the House of Representatives (HoR) to form a government is due to expire at 5 pm tomorrow (Sunday).
The President's Office has invited the HoR member, who can command a majority with the support of two or more parties represented in the House, to stake claim to the post of Prime Minister pursuant to Article 76 (2) of the constitution since no party obtained a clear majority in accordance with Article 76 (1).
Accordingly, the ruling coalition parties are continuing discussions to form a new government. However, the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN (Maoist Center), the largest and third-largest parties in the HoR, are struggling to reach an agreement on government formation.
The two parties' efforts to form the next government has been impeded by the difference of opinion between NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is also the Prime Minister, and Maoist Center Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' over the issue – who would lead the government first.
The ruling parties did not hold any talks on Friday after the NC and the Maoist Center did not budge from their respective stances on the issue of government leadership.
Nonetheless, Deuba and Prachanda held hour-long discussion in Baluwatar last night. But to no avail as their talks ended inconclusively.
NC Spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said that a meeting of the ruling parties would be held again at 3 pm today (Saturday) to deliberate new government formation.
He also claimed the ruling parties would develop an understanding on government formation within the stipulated deadline given by President Bhandari.
"Discussions are underway. The Maoist Center chair has proposed to lead the government first," Mahat told Nepalkhabar on Saturday morning, "We will try to reach an agreement within the given time frame to form the government."
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