Bhairahawa, June 19:

Standing committee member of the CPN-UML Bam Dev Gautam today ruled out the chances of NC president and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala becoming the first President of the country.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the district chapter of the Press Chautari Nepal here, Gautam said that people had had enough of Nepali Congress (NC) as it was responsible for the ongoing political deadlock in the country.

“As Nepalis have been experiencing an NC-led government for the past two years, Koirala cannot lead the nation now,” he said, adding, “A sick Koirala should go for treatment rather than hold the presidency.”

Gautam said that the UML had several personalities suitable for the post of the President. “The Maoists have agreed on Sahana Pradhan’s name for the presidential post,” Gautam said, “However, the UML is in favour of former party general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal as the first President of the country.”

The Maoist proposal for Ram Raja Prasad Singh as the first President was immature and ridiculous, according to Gautam, who claimed that the parties would agree on either Nepal or Pradhan’s name for the post.