KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress leaders have urged President Sher Bahadur Deuba to engage in discussions with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) for a possible alliance against the CPN-Maoist Center-led ruling coalition.

According to sources, NC office bearers, former office bearers and province leaders assembled for a meeting at President Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha on Tuesday, decided to seek support of the fring parties in provinces.

President Deuba recently proposed cooperation and collaboration with the RPP, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Janamat Party, and Nagarik Unmukti Party.

Given the RPP’s decision to stay out of the ruling coalition, NC leaders have requested President Deuba to initiate discussions with them for possible consensus.

Although the RPP has openly declared its non-participation in the provincial government, it has left the door open for supporting the government.

NC holds power in Sudurpashchim, Lumbini, Gandaki, and Koshi provinces, and efforts are being made to seek additional support from smaller parties to ensure continuity for the provincial governments.