DAMAULI: Nepali Congress Vice-president Ramchandra Paudel on Wednesday  admitted that the leaders were yet to divide five key posts among the parties.

Speaking at an interaction organised by Reporters’ Club Nepal Tanahun chapter today in Damauli, Paudel clarified that they had agreed to hold election for the five major posts including President, Vice-president, Prime Minister, Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly only after promulgation of the statute.

“Hence, all the rumours about the new leadership of the government are baseless,” he clarified. He also said that they had not agreed to form a new government under the premiership of CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, as claimed by Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Paudel said the country would receive a new statute very soon as the statute drafting process had already begun.

“The leaders have forged consensus on several issues, but are about to reach understanding on the remaining few agendas.”

He added that UCPN-Maoist wanted to incorporate everything new in the new statute. He claimed that they were putting pressure for inclusion of existing ideas as well. The parties have different stances on the preamble and judiciary.

When asked about his interest in the post of president, he said that he would disclose about his candidacy for the party’s presidency at the NC convention in August. Paudel said that the party’s leadership was, however, yet to discuss portfolio sharing in the party. “We have been moving forward by settling the party’s active membership dispute so far,” he said.

Paudel said he had forwarded five plans for reconstruction in the aftermath of the April 25 earthquake in the country. According to him, he had recommended separate plans for reconstruction of schools, archeological monuments, SAARC village, government offices, and rural settlements.