Nepal inches closer to forming coalition govt

Kathmandu, May 11: Nepal's political parties today appeared confident of forming a government in a "day or two", with the main opposition Nepali Congress and CPN-UML claiming that they have the numbers to cobble together a coalition.

The country's second-and third-largest parties, Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist), were within days of reaching a pact with smaller parties to form a government.

The country's main opposition party said the Nepali Congress and the CPN(UML) party were close to forming the new coalition with the support of other parties.

"The CPN-UML has got the support from sufficient number of parliament members in order to form the next coalition and the government will be formed in a day or two," said Ram Chandra Poudyal, the Vice president of the Nepali Congress.

As the CPN-UML has received assurance from the largest Terai-based party, Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum and we have also extended support to the communist party, UML has got the required number to form a government, Poudyal told reporters in the capital today.

The new government will be in place in a day or two, he said, and called upon the Maoists to extend support to the coalition to be led by the UML.

Nepal was plunged into a political crisis last week when the Prime Minister resigned after dispute with President Ram Baran Yadav over the firing of General Rukmangad Katawal. PTI