Talking to media persons after the 14th round of voting in parliament that too turned out to be futile, Paudel argued that CPN-UML should vote in his favor to keep the current coalition intact and resolve the protracted political deadlock surrounding prime minister´s election. [break]
"The prime minister´s party [CPN-UML], which is a part of the current coalition, should either forge consensus or cast its vote," he said. "Certainly a way out would come to end the deadlock."
During the voting held on Friday, the lone prime ministerial candidate Poudel secured 96 votes while two lawmakers voted against him. Altogether 40 lawmakers cast their votes for neutral position.
Poudel said that there was also agreement in the meeting of the leaders of three major parties on Friday morning to find consensus to end the current deadlock. "UML should vote for me if the efforts to forge consensus fail," he further said.
Poudel said that though the Maoist leaders during the meeting agreed to hold next round of prime ministerial voting after Tihar festival but at the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee insisted that the voting be held Monday.
Meanwhile, Maoist Vice Chairman Narayankaji Shrestha alleged that conspiracy is being hatched not to allow government formation.
Shrestha warned that country could head toward a disaster if all political parties did not work for forging consensus.
Related story
Heart to Heart with Malvika
