Left parties agree to elect first Nepal President in two days

The development came a day after the country8217;s Parliament introduced an amendment in the interim Constitution paving the way for forming the government through a simple majority.

CPN-Maoist leader and Prime Minister-in-waiting Prachanda and CPN-UML general secretary Jhalanath Khanal agreed to elect the president within a couple of days and start the process of government formation soon, Rawal said. He, however, said that further discussions are needed on the issue of power sharing.

8220;We will soon hold a meeting with Nepali Congress leaders to decide who will be the president,8221; he said, adding, 8220;We are trying to build a consensus among all political parties and I hope the Nepali Congress will also join the new government.8221;

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress NC, the second largest party in the Constituent Assembly, reiterated its demand that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala be made the country8217;s first president. 8220;The party will otherwise sit in the opposition and play a constructive role in drafting the new constitution,8221; NC Vice President Prakash Man Singh said.

The Constituent Assembly passed the Fifth Amendment to the constitution on Sunday. It focuses on changing the provision requiring two-thirds majority to form government, with the simple majority.

The amendment paves the way for Maoists to lead the next administration. The Maoist and the CPN-UML have a combined strength of 337 in the 601-strong assembly.