MPRF likely to vote for Dahal on Tuesday

KATHMANDU, Sept 7: The seventh round of prime ministerial election slated for Tuesday is also not likely to be inconclusive with major political parties sticking to their respective stances.



However, the Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) may vote for Maoist prime ministerial candidate Pushpa Kamal Dahal in the seventh round, though the party is yet to take a formal decision in this regard. [break]



The MPRF, which has so far remained neutral in the prime ministerial election, had boycotted the sixth round of vote on Sunday saying it would participate in the seventh round if its votes become decisive. "But we are yet to take any decision. We will take a decision on Tuesday morning," Said MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav.



Earlier, talking to journalists at Singha Durbar, party co-chair JP Gupta said his party would cast votes in favor of Dahal. He said that the party quit the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) not to stay neutral any longer.



Even if MPRF votes for Dahal, the latter is not likely to garner a majority. In the last round of election, Dahal had garnered 240 votes while 10 Maoist lawmakers were absent. So if the MPRF votes for him, the total number of votes for Dahal will be 275, short of 25 votes for a majority in the 599-member house.



"We are not in a position to say anything now whether we will win the election or not," said Maoist Vice-Chairman Narayankaji Shrestha. The party is holding talks with small parties and parties from Madhes to woo their support.

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