Sharp differences over formation of new government and holding elections along with mutual distrust and suspicion remained among the main political parties. Ruling United Democratic Coalition demanded election by June and asked congress, UML and other parties to join prime minister Baburam Bhattarai’s government, but the parties maintained that it was not possible to form an election government under Bhattarai. The opposition parties privately took the suggestion by the ruling coalition to form a government under independent individual if not under Bhattarai as another ruse to extend the government. Opposition parties also suspected that the different proposal by UCPN (M) and the government as a ploy to extend the government. However, after the President Ram Baran Yadav stopped extending the deadline for formation of a new government and the possibility of a consensus diminished, the opposition parties resorted to protests.

On January 2, prime minister Bhattarai proposed an alternative of forming government under an independent person if his leadership was not acceptable. Opposition parties termed the proposal as political dishonesty and a ruse to extend his government. The next day, Dahal in his meeting with the President proposed an independent person for prime minister. Dahal asserted that there was no consensus on Koirala. A meeting of Congress and UML rejected the UCPN (M) proposal to form government under an independent person, concluded that it was a conspiracy not to hold elections in May, and stressed on removing the government through protests.

As the parties were focused on their own agenda, the President expedited discussions. His push for consensus in separate and group meetings with the leaders resulted in nought. The President consulted with four senior leaders on January 5. After the leaders committed to holding elections in May or June, the President extended the deadline again for 5 days. However, there was no consensus. Then in his meeting on January 11 with parties represented in the former CA, President Yadav stressed on a way for a minimum consensus, decision-making process to guarantee CA elections to promulgate a new constitution, and formation of a Council of Ministers through consensus.