The prime minister is using the American aid not only to rein in opponents in his party but also to curry favour with international power centres, analysts and insiders say.

With the Nepali Congress and Janata Samajbadi Party for it, it will likely be ratified but the Speaker has to agree to table the compact for vote in the House meeting.

Leaders say the government has assured them that their demands for freeing its lawmaker and withdrawing cases against its cadres in return for its support to the prime minister on early polls and MCC.

The country has failed to demonstrate its actions to mitigate impacts and make concerted efforts to show its vulnerabilities before the world despite bearing the brunt.

Party leaders say the candidate will be based on a consensus.

Foreign Minister Gyawali and Health Minister Tripathi are assured of resumption of supplies but when the vaccines will come is not yet clear.

The telephonic conversation on Friday afternoon is taking place at a time when both countries are reporting a surge in coronavirus cases, with India’s daily count crossing 100,000 days lately.

The onus of taking the political process forward is upon the Congress chief. But given the dynamics in his party, and his relations with Oli and other parties, he is hesitating.

If the negotiations between Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre) and Janata Samajbadi Party are positive, further discussions will be held on the way forward to unseat Oli, Congress leaders say.

Congress leaders say Deuba must take a lead, but he is still reluctant with one eye on the polls. Maoist Centre’s indecision on withdrawing support complicates things.

Maoist Centre has to withdraw support but more importantly Janata Samajbadi has to make its stance clear. And early elections cannot be ruled out, leaders say.

The main opposition decides to seek Oli’s resignation and start process to form a government led by its president.

With the court refusing to revisit the revival of the Maoist Centre and UML, Dahal’s options are limited, as Nepal faction joining hands with him soon is unlikely, insiders say.

The meeting is being held on the heels of one of the bloodiest days in the country, in which over 90 protesters were killed.

The Maoists are looking to Congress, which does not want to make any move, while the Janata Samajbadi Party is a divided house. Amid this, Oli continues to wield power.