National
Bamdev a likely PM candidate
The CPN-UML has said it will support any candidate from the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre) if their ruling coalition fields someone other than NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba.The CPN-UML has said it will support any candidate from the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre) if their ruling coalition fields someone other than NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba.
UML leader Shankar Pokhrel on Friday said the second largest party would field its Vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam as the PM candidate if Deuba contested the vote.
The UML has been obstructing Parliament demanding the Election Commission resume vote count of the local level election at the Bharatpur Metropolitan City.
Honouring an agreement between the NC and the Maoists, PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal stepped down last week to transfer power to Deuba. Election for the new PM has been scheduled for Sunday.
Addressing an interaction at the Reporter’s Club, UML leader Pokhrel said Deuba’s hurry to become the prime minister had forced Dahal to resign “at a wrong time”.
UML had been saying that PM Dahal should hold the second phase of local polls. UML Chief Whip Bhanubhakta Dhakal said the party was yet to decide on its candidacy but Gautam was a qualified candidate for the PM’s post.