If all goes well, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli is likely to be elected the new prime minister on Sunday. The second largest party in Parliament has made a calculation that it will lead the next government even if the Nepali Congress, the largest party, does not support Oli’s bid.

The UML hopes its Parliamentary Party leader Oli will win the prime ministerial election scheduled for Sunday. “We have a comfortable majority to elect our chairman as the new prime minister. So far, we have got assurances that at least 325 lawmakers will vote in favour of our candidate,” said UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali, who was involved in all meetings initiated by the party.

Gyawali said UCPN (Maoist) and Rastriya Parajatantra Party-Nepal, the third and fourth largest parties respectively, have decided to vote for Oli. Except for the agitating Madhes-centric parties, the Oli-led talks team has held consultations with all the parties represented in Parliament.

“We have no doubt about leading the government. Numbers is no problem for us—the only concern is whether we can bring the Congress, a key force involved in the constitution writing process, on board the government for its effective implementation,” said Gyawali.

A Standing Committee meeting of the Maoist party decided to support the nomination of UML candidate Oli. Maoist leader Haribol Gajurel said the party decided to form a national government by honouring the 16-point pact that paved the way for statute promulgation. “It would be better if the Congress also joins the government. We want all the forces to join the Cabinet,” said Gajurel.

Before signing the deal in June, major forces had agreed to form a unity government headed by the UML in order to rebuild the quake-ravaged villages, implement the constitution while tackling problems arising in the process. They had also agreed to share the key portfolios among them. A meeting of RPP-Nepal entrusted party Chairman Kamal Thapa to decide whether to join the upcoming government. Thapa and Maoist leaders held discussions with top UML leaders on Friday. Maoist leaders sought assurance of constitution amendment in order to address the demands of the agitating Madhesi and Janajati parties. It also put forth a precondition of ensuring national sovereignty and territorial

integrity of the country, rebuilding earthquake-flattened houses and not suppressing peaceful protests.

Yet, the NC has not fielded its candidate nor assured Oli of support. The UML assumption may change if the Congress fields its candidate, offering lucrative positions for the parties that have pledged Oli their support.

The party will file Oli’s candidacy on Saturday.

Votes UML counts in favor of Oli

UML     183

UCPN (Maoist)     83

RPP-Nepal     25

RPP             12

CPN-ML                 5

NMKP                      4

Janamorcha    3

CPN (Unified)    3

Rastriya Janamukti     2

Pariwar Dal       2

Bahujan Party     1

Akhanda Nepal    1

Khambuwan R Morcha    1

Janajagaran Party Nepal   1

Samajbadi Janata Party    1