Is the formation of the interim government being delayed because the parties can't decide on how to allot the ministries?
We haven't yet reached that stage yet, which is why we suggested to the prime minister that the leaders from the seven parties discuss what the government will look like. That discussion took place recently and our general secretary said that the prime minister and deputy prime minister should not be from the same party. Since the prime minister is going to be from the NC, we suggested that the home minister be from the UML. We also have not yet agreed to the NC proposal that the prime minister should be elected first and the ministers later. The interim constitution gives the legislature the power to choose the prime minister. We say that the ministers and the prime minister should be chosen at the same time, because doing it separately will give the impression that the parties are fighting over the positions.

So the UML and the Maoists both want the deputy prime minister post?
There is already a deputy prime minister from our party, why change that? If there is room for more than one, the other one could be from the CPN-M. The UML was given the deputy prime minister position after the success of April Uprising, and we see no reason to give it up. That said, let me clarify one more time: the delay is not because the parties are fighting over posts, but because the necessary documents are still being finalised.

Given this delay, do you still see the constituent assembly elections happening in June?
The elections must take place in June under any condition. Jana Andolan II made way for the elections, and the eight parties are committed to it. No one can go against what is written in the interim constitution. The UML is not going to agree on anything that will delay the elections, because we know that the situation in the country will worsen if that happens.