Nepal election: PM Deuba and Prachanda agree to form new govt

The five-party ruling alliance has secured 82 seats so far while the CPN-UML alliance led by former prime minister K.P. Oli has bagged 52 seats under the direct election

Nepal’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda held a meeting in Kathmandu on November 26 and they agreed to continue their ruling five-party alliance as part of a new majority government in the country.

As the results of Nepal’s parliamentary elections under direct voting come closer to an end, top political parties have intensified efforts for the formation of the new government to end the political instability that has plagued the Himalayan nation for more than a decade.

Elections to the House of Representatives (HoR) and seven provincial assemblies were held on Sunday. The counting of votes started on Monday.

Also read: Deuba-led coalition on its way to winning elections in Nepal

Prime Minister Deuba and CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Prachanda met at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu, according to party sources.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the current political developments and explored possibilities for the formation of the new government, said Ganesh Shah, Standing Committee member of the CPN-Maoist Centre.

"The two leaders have reached an understanding to continue the present ruling alliance," he said, exuding confidence that the five-party alliance will have enough strength in parliament to form a majority government.