NC leader Bal Krishna Khand, who is close to Deuba, told Republica that Deuba initially shared his decision at a meeting of party leaders at his residence Monday morning and later announced the decision at a meeting of party office bearers held at the residence of party President Sushil Koirala. [break]
"He told us he has already been prime minister thrice and has no intention of leading a majority government. He was of the view that a majority government is not the need of the hour and such a government could not address the problems faced by the country," Khand said.
Deuba´s announcement came a day after Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said publicly that the possibility of a consensus government was slim. Even the United Democratic Madhes Front had suggested to other parties it would be better to elect a prime minister, instead of seeking a deadline extension for forming a consensus government.
NC leaders had reached a gentlemen´s agreement last week that Deuba would be the party´s prime ministerial candidate for a consensus government while Ram Chandra Paudel would be prime ministerial candidate if a situation of forming a majority government arises. As the agreement was not made public, there was doubt that Deuba might give up the race even for prime ministerial candidate for a majority government.
Meanwhile, a meeting of office bearers of the Nepali Congress decided to hold further talks with all political parties to garner support for a national consensus government under Deuba´s leadership. At the meeting, Deuba had sought clarifications from Paudel over the latter´s meeting with Rajendra Mahato, chairman of Sadbhawana Party, allegedly to seek support if an election is held for prime minister.
But Paudel denied that the meeting was aimed at garnering support.
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