KATHMANDU: Acting president of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Jaya Prasad Prakash Gupta, on Tuesday said that his party was not eager to lead the new government.

Speaking at an interaction programme at the Reporter’s Club, he said MJF was in favour of forming a national government including the UCPN-Maoist. He said, “As Maoist is the largest party, it should lead the government in drafting the new constitution.”

However, he said that the MJF would support the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML if the Maoists refused to lead the government. He reasoned, as the nation cannot function without a government, the MJF would make all efforts to reconcile differences with the NC and UML, especially pertaining to restructuring of the state and other issues. Gupta said that the MJF would take the final decision on government formation after its boss, Upendra Yadav, returned from his foreign trip.

Gupta also expressed concern about the legal and constitutional questions being raised on the President’s move to reinstate CoAS Katawal. He however declined to comment on whether the President’s move was unconstitutional.

He further said that the Mades-based parties would have a common stand on the formation of the new government. “We have started the consolations with other parties regarding the formation of new government,” he added. Gupta urged political parties to forge a consensus to face the challenges facing the nation.