KATHMANDU: CPN Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday held a meeting with Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa and asked the latter to support him in the prime minister's election likely to be held later this week.

According to Thapa's aide, Mohan Shrestha, Dahal sought support from the RPP-N in the new government formation process.

In response, Thapa said he would take an appropriate decision in consultation with the party.

Thapa is one of the deputy prime ministers of the outgoing KP Sharma Oli-led government.

The fourth largest political force in the Parliament, the RPP-N earlier had decided to support Oli till the last minute of his government.

Dahal, however, is in a bid to become the prime minister with the support from the largest party at the House, Nepali Congress, and as many parties as possible.

The Maoist party was the second largest coalition member of the Oli government before it pulled out of the government two weeks ago and moved a no-confidence motion against Oli at the House.