After they agreed for sharing power in the interim legislature, the ruling seven political parties and the Maoists are now engaged in the debate for the top post of the interim government.

Speaking at a press conference in Pokhara, Maoist spokesperson and chief Maoist negotiator Krishna Bahadur Mahara, said that Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala should lead the interim government to be formed till December 1.

Mahara also claimed hat the political parties had agreed to recommend Koirala for the post.

”The agreement that present Prime Minister Koirala would head the interim government was made while the 12-point pact was being signed,” Mahara said.

About the ongoing argument regarding a referendum, Mahara said that as the main agenda of the Maoists had always been a Constituent Assembly from the very beginning, a referendum was not on the party’s priority list.

However CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal reiterated that there has been no consensus on who should be made the interim Prime Minister.

Speaking at a function in the capital on Saturday, Nepal said, “There has been no understanding on retaining Koirala as an interim Prime Minister. In fact, no consensus has been reached on who should be the prime minister. So don’t go after rumours,” Nepal said.

President of NC (Democratic), Sher Bahadur Deuba also said that the issue is yet to be settled.

CPN (Maoist) chairman Prachanda during a press conference held on Thursday, had said that incumbent Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Koirala will be the interim Prime Minister, adding that an understanding to this effect had already been reached.

The deal is silent on who will lead the country through the interim phase, though it says the interim government should be formed till December 1.

Similarly, a report from Nepalgunj quoted Maoist leader Dev Gurung as saying that it must be accepted that there is no alternative to NC president Girija Prasad Koirala who could lead the interim government.

Speaking at a press meet in Nepalgunj, Gurung said “Everyone should accept the fact that history has given the responsibility to Koirala.”

On the possibility of Prachanda heading the interim government, Gurung said, “We are not in a condition to claim to lead the government.”

Gurung also clarified that the changes seen lately in Koirala inspired them to accept him as an unanimous choice for leader.