Back NC's bid for premiership: Koirala to Dahal

Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala has called on UCPN (Maoist) to back his party's bid to take charge of the government.

Koirala, who called on Dahal at his residence in Lazimpat, urged Dahal to accept an NC-nominated candidate to succeed Prime Minister Baburam Bhattrai.

"I came here to ask Dahal to support Nepali Congress to from a government of national consensus, said Koirala after the meeting. He added that the Maoist chief has agreed to discuss Koirala's proposal with other UCPN (Maoist) leaders.

Koirala has recently intensified talks with leaders of various political parties to back NC's claim for the top post. Congress sources say Koirala wants to get enough backing from other parties so that it would become easier for him to formally propose himself as his party's candidate for the post. nepalnews.com