The Nepali Congress has summoned a meeting of the central work execution committee for Sunday as the party steps up its bid for the formation of a new government under its leadership.

The meeting is expected to discuss the election of a parliamentary party leader and the formation of a new government.

Krishna Prasad Paudel, the party’s chief secretary, said the meeting will be held at the party’s central office in Sanepa at 3pm.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who also heads the present ruling alliance of four political parties, needs to be elected the parliamentary party leader to lead a new government. Some Congress leaders have announced their intent to challenge him. Senior leader Ram Chandra Paudel, General Secretary Gagan Thapa, and other leaders such as Shekhar Koirala and Prakash Man Singh had all staked their claim for the prime ministerial berth during electioneering. Among them, Thapa is seen as one of the strongest contenders.

In what appears as a move by Deuba to secure his election as parliamentary party leader, the Congress President on Saturday summoned and held discussions with the newly-elected lawmakers of the party.