Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: A coalition of seven political parties Sunday registered a letter at the Office of the President, proposing to form the next government under the leadership of CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Janata Samajbadi Party, Janamat Party and Nagarik Unmukti Party have proposed Dahal as the next prime minister. Independent candidates Prabhu Sah, Kiran Kumar Sah and Dr Amresh Kumar Singh have also supported Dahal.
This means Dahal has the support of 169 lawmakers.
The existing coalition of five parties split on Sunday after Dahal walked away following the refusal of Nepali Congress to form the government under Dahal’s leadership. Both Deuba and Dahal had agreed to lead the government by turns, but both wanted to lead the government first.
After leaving the five-party coalition, Dahal joined hands with UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli who then brought RSP and RPP on board. Three more parties later came forward to join the coalition.
President Bidya Devi Bhandari had given political parties until 5 pm to make a claim for government formation. Now that the seven-party coalition has made the claim, she is expected to appoint Dahal prime minister later today.
Dahal will have to get a vote of confidence within 30 days of his appointment.
