Prachanda to face Poudel in race for PM

Even as Unified Communist party of Nepal-Maoist UCPN-M chairman Prachanda prepares to face Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Poudel again...

Even as Unified Communist party of Nepal-Maoist UCPN-M chairman Prachanda prepares to face Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Poudel again for the Prime Ministers post,Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal said that his party would not vote in the run-off poll on Friday.

A fresh vote for a new leader will take place on Friday as ordered by Constituent Assembly Speaker Subash Nemwang after lawmakers failed to elect a new Prime Minister on Wednesday. The House rejected both Prachanda and Poudel in Wednesdays election that required candidates to secure simple majority in the 601-member House.

Senior Maoist leader Narayankaji Shrestha was quoted as saying that smaller political parties,which he did not name,have agreed to support Prachanda.

UMLs Khanal quit the prime ministerial race after caretaker Prime Minister and party leader Madhav Nepal withdrew his candidature on Wednesday. Khanal,who failed to secure two-thirds majority in the House,said his that the UML was in favour of a consensus candidate and will remain neutral and participate in Fridays polling.

We do not have the adequate numbers for two-thirds majority in the Constituent Assembly. We have decided not to contest for the new government on majority basis, Khanal was quoted as saying by The Himalayan Times online.

Khanal also said that the run-off would turn out to be another failure. This election is going to be another disaster. It wont result in formation of any type of government one by simple majority or by two-thirds majority, he said.

The CPN-UML is not supporting a majority government. A majority government would mean no peace and no constitution, he was quoted as saying by Nepalnews online.

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Meanwhile,Poudel,who had secured only 124 votes on Wednesday,said he was confident of being elected Prime Minister on Friday. He added that consultations with parties have been positive and he was quite hopeful of winning the prime ministerial race. However,he did not mention how he would get the numbers.

Prachanda on Thursday stepped up consultations to garner a majority as he met Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal RPP-N party chief to seek his support.

Nepals Terai-based Madhesi parties were holding a crucial meeting on Thursday to work out a common strategy for the re-poll on Friday. Poudel also held talks with the Madhesi parties,seeking their support.