Leaders of the newly formed Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Prajatantrik) that broke away from the RPP on Sunday have said they would join the Nepali Congress-led government as soon as the party is registered with the Election Commission.

“All the political parties wish to join the government and we are no different,” said Sagun Lawoti, a central committee member of the new force. Since the party was busy with the registration process, it could take time to decide on joining the government.

“The EC says the party will be registered within a week. By then, we will be all prepared to join the government,” said leader Kiran Giri.

Leaders of the new party accused RPP Chairman Kamal Thapa of barring the party from joining the government as Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba refused to induct him as a deputy PM.

A day after the split, the Thapa-led RPP has decided to expel 19 leaders including six lawmakers from the party and has urged others to return by admitting their mistake.

While Thapa’s faction says the new force lacks 40 percent central members required for party registration, RPP (Prajatantrik) leader Kiran Giri claimed that out of the total 155 central members, they need 61. Since they have submitted the signatures of 66 central members, it was up to the EC to examine it and recognise the new party.

The government has left four positions vacant for inducting ministers from the RPP.