CPN-UML Standing Committee member Shankar Pokhrel has said that his party would support any other candidate from the ruling coalition of Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre) except for NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba for the post of prime minister.

“We would extend our support only if NC and Maoist Centre alliance put forth another alternative except Deuba,” said Pokhrel, while talking in a programme organised by Reporters Club in Kathmandu on Friday.

Pokhrel made it clear that the UML would not support NC President Deuba for PM post.

“We have sensed that Deuba is desperate to become the next prime minister of the country that led to untimely resignation of PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Therefore, we cannot give our support to Deuba,” said Pokhrel.

According to Pokhrel, UML will field its Vice-chair Bam Dev Gautam as PM candidate if NC-Maoist alliance picks Deuba for the PM post.

At the programme, Nepali Congress leader Mahendra Yadav stated that there is no doubt that Deuba will become the next PM as per the gentlemen’s agreement between NC and Maoist Centre.

Maoist Centre leader Agni Prasad Sapkota said that the NC-Maoist alliance is not going to break.