Kathmandu, Aug 12: The Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) will hold a standing committee meeting today to discuss the formation of the new government excluding the Nepali Congress (NC).

According to UML standing committee member Ishwor Pokharel, the meeting is due to discuss on the future strategies of the party following the failure of the political parties in forming the new government based on consensus in Nepal.

The UML which had been expressing its stance on forming the new government with national consensus hinted that they are ready to form the government without the Nepali Congress after the tug of war between the Maoists and the Nepali Congress over Defense portfolio.

The Nepali Congress has demanded the portfolio for itself while Maoists are in no mood to give that away. As such, the Nepali Congress even approached the UML with a proposal offering it with government leadership by excluding Maoists. But the offer was, apparently, turned down.

The UML leader Bhim Rawal said that the party does not want to join the government by excluding the Maoists.

"The UML leaders have said that if the NC does not join the government, the Maoists should be allowed to lead the government. They will decide on this issue through the meeting," Maoist leader Dev Gurung said.

The parleys among parties have intensified as the Constituent Assembly (CA) has decided to elect the new Prime Minister on Friday.

Article 38 (2) of the Interim Constitution provides that the Prime Minister shall be elected through a majority of two-thirds of the members of the Legislature-Parliament, if consensus cannot be reached.

On Sunday, President Ram Baram Yadav had called on the Constituent Assembly to take initiatives for forming a new government through vote since the CPN-Maoist failed to form a new government based on national consensus even by the extended deadline, Nepalnews reported. (ANI)