KATHMANDU: In the face of five-party ruling coalition for the upcoming elections, the CPN-UML is courting Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP) to form an alliance.

UML Chair KP Sharma Oli proposed to give the LSP 18 seats in the Tarai Madhes region during the meeting held with LSP Chair Mahantha Thakur.

“However, nothing has been agreed or decided as of now,” said a UML leader.

Leaders of the two parties have intensified discussions on forming an alliance as the November 20 elections draw close.

Oli and Thakur, too, have held frequent discussions on forming an electoral alliance.

LSP is also in talks with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to join the electoral alliance of the ruling coalition.

It has shifted towards the UML as the ruling coalition is having a hard time splitting seats among them.

Earlier, UML was angry with the LSP after the latter decided to vote in favor of the Citizenship Bill in the parliament.