Nepal’s political parties endorse Congress leader Poudyal president’s post

Nepal's eight political parties decided on Friday to back Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Poudyal for the country's presidency.

Poudyal, 78, is likely to succeed incumbent Bidya Devi Bhandari as the next president.

Candidates wishing to contest the election should file their nominations on February 25 and the poll will be conducted on March 9.

The eight political parties - Nepali Congress, CPN- Maoist Centre, CPN-Unified Socialist, Rastriya Janata Party, Lokatantrik Samajwadi Party, Rastriya Janamorcha, Nagarik Unmukti Party and Janamat Party - decided at a joint meeting to vote for the Nepali Congress candidate for the post of president, party sources said.

A high-level meeting of the Nepali Congress convened on Saturday will officially decide the candidate for the president, said Nepali Congress senior leader Bimalendra Nidhi.

One who gets support from the eight parties will easily get elected to the post of president as per the current strength of the parties in Parliament.

The election to the post of president is likely to change the current power equation as Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal "Prachanda" has decided not to support UML's candidate for the post.

Poudyal and Krishna Sitaula have publicly announced their willingness to contest the election for the post of president. However, party insiders say chances for Poudyal to become the official candidate for president are higher.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)