KATHMANDU: CPN Maoist Centre leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara has claimed that the Nepali Congress, the largest party in the Parliament, has fully supported the Maoist party's latest bid to form the new government in its chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's leadership.

In a press conference organised after the Maoist party's announcement of the withdrawal of support from the CPN-UML-led coalition government, Mahara, who is believed to be one of the architects of the potential new equation, said the Maoists have already received support in writing from the Nepali Congress.

"Maybe another agreement could happen tomorrow. But we have already received a letter from the Nepali Congress accepting our chairman, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, as the Prime Minister at the initial stage," he said, "The letter arrived today itself."

An agreement, however, is yet to be made and its content is being sketched out, Mahara informed.

According to him, the formal agreement would be made tomorrow and it would be made public subsequently. "But I would like to inform you that an understanding has been made," he said.

He said the Nepali Congress could organise press conference tomorrow to speak about the agreement.

Responding to a query, Mahara said the Maoist Standing Committee would officially decide whether the party chairman, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, would lead the new government.

He further said that there still was scope for national consensus and even the CPN-UML could come on board the new coalition. "We won't say it would happen tomorrow itself. But there are chances of national consensus in some days. There are chances that even the CPN-UML can come for the national consensus."

"We have withdrawn support only. Automatically the government is in minority. Oli, who is leading the government now, has to resign now to pave the way. We appeal him to resign," he said.

According to Mahara, the Maoist party would hold discussion with all the parties in the Parliament to build up national consensus.

READ ALSO:

• Claims and counter claims
• CPN Maoist Centre pulls out of Oli-led coalition government
• PM Oli calls meeting of ruling alliance after Maoist withdrawal
• Nepali Congress backs Maoist bid to form new govt: Mahara