As bargaining for positions in the interim government heats up, the NC has decided to keep the deputy-prime ministership for itself. This is to lessen Prime Minister Koirala's workload and the party will chose between Sushil Koirala and Ram Chandra Poudel for the post. But the leadership hasn't decided which one will be given a government post and which one acting party president. If the Maoists prevail, then it is likely that home minister Krishna Sitaula will retain a ministerial position. Other NC wannabes include Sujata Koirala, Bhim Bahadur Tamang, Rambaran Yadab, Ram Sharan Mahat. Over at the NC-D Gopalman Shrestha, Ramesh Lekhak and Gyanendra Karki have been uncontroversial and seem to be doing a good job, but the NC-D leadership may want a change of faces and include more party heavyweights like Purna Bahadur Khadka, Prakashman Singh, Balkrishna Khand, Uma Adhikari, and Bimalendra Nidhi.

The UML wants Bam Deb Gautam to be deputy prime minister, and he will go into government only if he gets that post. Party cadre want Jhalanath Khanal to lead the team in government but UML leader Madhab Nepal is said to be against this.

The UML is also trying to balance the aspirations of traditional politicians with the need to include madhesi, women, and janjati candidates.

The Maoists meanwhile have Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Hisila Yami, Khadagbahadur Biswokarma, Lekhraj Bhatt, and Deb Gurung as ministerial candidates.