Maoist leader Prachanda set to become Nepal PM

Nepal Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" is all set to become the Prime Minister for the second time as he filed his nomination yesterday after receiving crucial backing from the agitating Madhesis by signing a three-point pact.

The 61-year-old CPN-Maoist Centre President's candidacy was proposed by Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba, which was seconded by senior Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara, ahead of today's election. Prachanda has earlier served as Nepal's Prime Minister from 2008 to 2009. 

Madhesi parties, which have the combined strength of 42 in



the 595-member Parliament, have also hinted that they would join the government led by Prachanda. Before filing his nomination paper for the Prime Minister's election, Maoist chief Prachanda and NC chief Deuba signed the agreement with the Madhesis.

The agreement assures the Madhesi communities of addressing their demands through political understanding and amendment to the Constitution. The Prime Minister's post has remained vacant since last week after CPN-UML chairman K P Sharma Oli tendered his resignation following the Maoist's withdrawal of support to the coalition government.