Kathmandu:Ramsahay Yadav, a leader from Nepal's Madhes region, exuded confidence that he will become the third Vice President of the country as voting for the post began here on Friday. The candidates vying for the Vice President's post include Ramsahay Yadav from the Janata Samajbadi Party, Ashta Laxmi Shakya from the CPN-UML, Pramila Yadav and Mamata Jha from the Janamat Party.
"I am confident of winning the vice presidential election as eight political parties including the Nepali Congress and CPN-Maoist Centre have made the decision to back my candidacy," Ramsahay told PTI at the Parliament building on Friday. The ruling alliance's efforts to finalise a common candidate at the last hour have failed.
A meeting of the political parties that took place at Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda's' official residence here on Wednesday to find a consensus over the candidate for the post of Vice-President ended inconclusively. Ramsahay, a leader from the Madhes region, is tipped to become the new Vice President and has the support of eight parties, including the three major parties of the Nepali Congress, CPN-Maoist Centre, and CPN-Unified Socialist.
The Madhesi community in Nepal's southern Terai region is mostly of Indian origin. Meanwhile, Pramila Yadav has announced the withdrawal of her candidacy and has supported 52-year-old Ramsahay of her party in the election. Despite her announcement, her candidacy could not officially be withdrawn before the commission on Sunday unveiled the final list of candidates.