Maoist-UML to continue their discussion

Kathmandu, July 16 (ANI): The Maoists and the CPN (UML) will continue their parleys today to name a common candidate for president.

A meeting between the two on Tuesday over the issue of who would be the presidential candidate ended inconclusively.

The UML has recommended its outgoing General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal for the post of president while its counterpart has opposed the proposal.

The Maoists urged the UML leaders not to stick to 'an individual-wise' issue, but to forge a consensus in forming the new government and to elect the country's first president.

A UML source on Monday said the Maoists would agree on Nepal for the next president once the Nepal Congress formally decides to stay in opposition.

As per the election schedule, the parties need to file the nomination of their candidates for president by this evening based on a political understanding. In the absence of such an understanding, nominations can be filed on Thursday.

The president can be elected by a simple majority in the Constituent Assembly (CA). Between them, the Maoists and the UML enjoy a comfortable majority, nepalnews.com reported. (ANI)