KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) senior leader Ram Chandra Paudel has intensified discussions with his party leaders seeking their support to become the next Prime Minister.

On Saturday evening, Poudel met NC President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and urged the latter to support him to become the prime minister.

PM Deuba assured Poudel of his support urging him to “convince” other leaders as well since nearly half-a-dozen NC leaders, including Gagan Thapa, Prakash Man Singh, Dr. Shekhar Koirala, and Dr. Shashak Koirala, are vying for the top post.

“PM Deuba is positive,” a source close to Poudel said.

On the same day, Poudel also invited NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi to his Boharatar-based residence and discussed the issue.

Poudel and Nidhi have agreed to continue the discussion.

Meanwhile, NC leader Poudel will also discuss the issue with NC General Secretary Gagan Thapa soon, a source close to Poudel said.

Poudel has intensified his move at a time when Thapa has already initiated preparations to become the party’s parliamentary party leader.

NC senior leader Poudel has been elected from Tanahun-1. Soon after his election as a member of the House of Representatives, Poudel came to Kathmandu and initiated meetings and discussions for the leadership of the future government.

Meanwhile, on Saturday itself, Prime Minister Deuba and Chairman of the Maoist Center Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ held a meeting and discussed giving continuity to the five-party alliance.

The two leaders have agreed to call a meeting of the ruling coalition soon to discuss the issue of government formation.