The chairmen of the UCPN(M), NC, and UML met the president at Shital Niwas on Wednesday evening and informed him that they would  come to an agreement before the next deadline expired.

After the meeting, Rajendra Dahal, the president’s press adviser told Nepali Times, “They informed the president about the progress made so far, which indicated that they would reach a consensus before 23 December.”

Although there is some understanding between the parties that NC chairman Sushil Koirala should lead the next government, Prime Minsiter Baburam Bhattarai’s stand to the contrary has foiled any attempt to find recourse.

Talking to the press after meeting the president on Wednesday afternoon, PM Bhattarai underlined his intent towards holding elections in April under his own leadership. “I will readily leave this post if it looks like there is consensus and the way is clear for elections,” he added.

But on Wednesday afternoon at a party meeting, the UCPN(M) declared it would work towards a unity government at all costs, while the UML also decided at its own meeting that “there was no other alternative than heading towards elections under the leadership of Koirala.”