KATHMANDU: While the counting of votes is underway, political leaders have intensified meetings to form a new government.

Parties, including Nepali Congress (NC), Maoist Center, United Socialist, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, and Rastriya Janamorcha have reiterated the need for giving continuity to the five-party alliance.

According to a leader monitoring the activities within the coalition said it may take more than one month to form a new government.

Sources said Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” is in haste to form the government.

Prachanda has insisted that he should get not miss the chance of leading the government this time.

“He (Prachanda) wants to become the Prime Minister for at least two years,” the source said adding that since NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba has already led the coalition government, Prachanda believes he should become the executive head this time.

According to the source, Prachanda has started his “bargaining strategy” by “using” Unified Socialist Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal.

On Thursday, NC leader Purna Bahadur Khadka held talks with Maoist Chairman Prachanda at the latter’s residence in Khumaltar and urged him to come up with a clear proposal for a package deal.

However, Madhav Nepal wants to go for a package deal and that the new government should be formed on the basis of consensus.

Chairman Nepal wants to make all decisions, including the appointments in constitutional bodies, Chief Ministers, and provincial heads, among other things in a “package” deal.

It should be noted that the top leaders are still at loggerheads despite claiming to form a coalition government.

“The conclusion as to who will lead the government is yet to be reached,” the source said.

Meanwhile, another source said that Unified Socialist senior leader Jhalanath Khanal and Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai are the aspirants for the post of President.

On the other hand, some NC leaders have cautioned PM Deuba to become cautious while dealing with Prachanda since he can “play foul” within the contradictions within the party at a time when NC leaders Gagan Thapa, Shekhar Koirala, Dr. Shashak Koirala, Prakash Man Singh, among others, are claiming for the premiership.

NC General Secretary Thapa has already initiated groundwork to woo NC newly-elected members of the House of Representatives for the premiership.

On the other hand, a faction within the NC is in favor of Deuba’s continuity as the Prime Minister while a section of the party is in favor of going for a new face.