Janakpurdham, Dec. 5 -- party alliance in Madhesh Province has agreed that the Nepali Congress will lead the new government. Leaders reached an understanding on Friday afternoon after hours of negotiations, and they are preparing to stake their claim later in the day.

Congress moved ahead after the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party withdrew its claim. The party has put forward its parliamentary party leader Krishna Prasad Yadav for chief minister. LSP provincial assembly member Upendra Mahato said the alliance reached a deal once his party stepped aside.

The decision comes a day after talks ended without agreement, as both Congress and LSP had refused to drop their bids. Congress argued that all parties have already led the province and that i...