Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak has reiterated that the party can support CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the next prime minister.

Politics is the “game of all possibilities”, said Lekhak, meaning that the NC was open to all the options on government formation. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has already offered Dahal the PM seat for five full years with the backing of the NC and the Madhes-based parties.

Lekhak, however, said that the people’s mandate was for the CPN-UML and the Maoists to form a new government.

Speaking at the function, UML leader Raghubir Mahaseth said attempts were underway to stop his party Chairman KP Sharma Oli from becoming the prime minister.  

“The people’s mandate is clear. Oli should lead the government as the left alliance has a majority [in parliament],” said Mahaseth.

He accused some “national and international elements” of conspiring against Oli to foil the prospects of him becoming the PM.

Mahaseth also criticised the Election Commission for “becoming the instrument of the elements that do not want political stability” in Nepal.

Rastriya Janata Party Nepal leader Mahendra Yadav said the RJP-N was weighing options to support the new government. “Our position is clear. We’ll back those who support constitution amendment. But we’re not in a position to join a new government in the present situation.”