Date:15/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/15/stories/2008081559712400.htm

International

Nepal Prime Minister election today

Prerana Marasini

Maoist Chairman Prachanda is the favourite

— Photo: AFP

The contenders: Maoist Chairman Prachanda (left) goes through the registration form for filing his candidacy for the prime ministerial election in Kathmandu on Thursday.

KATHMANDU: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) and senior Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba on Thursday filed their nominations for the first prime ministerial election of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

Earlier, the CPN (Maoists), the CPN (UML) and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum reached an understanding to support Mr. Prachanda for the post.

The parties signed a seven-point agreement on government formation under the Maoists’ leadership.

The agreement, according to Mr. Dahal, will help in drafting the Constitution. The country currently uses an interim Constitution, drafted after the April uprising, two years ago.

Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba who is also contesting the election.

The primary task of the Constituent Assembly is to write Constitution for the country that has turned into “Federal Democratic Republic” from “Kingdom”.

Mr. Prachanda has the maximum chances of winning. A candidate has to get 298 votes from 594 voters to win the election; with the support from the UML and the MJF, he will have 160, and with Maoists’ own 227 seats, Mr. Prachanda could emerge Prime Minister with 387 votes.

The election is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday at the Constituent Assembly in Kathmandu. The result is likely to be announced in the evening.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress, which had earlier said it would stay away from the government, proposed the former Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, for the election. Talking to reporters, Mr. Deuba said he filed his nomination to establish a “vibrant democracy” and write Constitution in time.

He also blamed the Maoists for not trying to build consensus with the Congress.

Mr. Deuba, who became Prime Minister three times, played an important role in holding talks with the Maoists, when they were “underground”.