KATHMANDU: As the deadline set by Sheetal Niwas to submit the name of the Prime Minister is inching closer, the top leadership of the ruling coalition — Nepali Congress (NC) and Maoist Center — are engaged in one-on-one discussions on government formation prior to the meeting of the five-party coalition.

Prime Minister and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba is holding one-on-one talks with Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, who reached Baluwatar.

Earlier, before coming to Baluwatar, Prachanda held discussions with his party leaders at his residence in Khumaltar.

Even though the meeting of the ruling coalition was scheduled to be held at 10 am on Sunday, it is being delayed due to internal discussions.

It has not been decided who will be the prime minister from the alliance for the first two years.

Maoist Chairman Prachanda is claiming the position of Prime Minister for the first two years.

Meanwhile, NC leadership is under pressure to not leave the prime ministerial position to the Maoists.