Kathmandu, Oct. 7 -- Nepali Congress leader Minendra Rijal has decided to withdraw his candidacy for vice-president after talks with Gagan Thapa, the candidate for the party's president, saying he would rather focus on contributing to the party than seeking office.

Rijal said his conversation with Thapa had reinforced his view that his experience, knowledge and intellectual abilities could be put to greater use in the Congress' next phase.

During their meeting on Tuesday night, Thapa said the party needed to make full use of Rijal's understanding of BP Koirala and his intellectual legacy.

"You not only worked with BP Koirala, you also understood his intellectual side and have the strength and ability to carry that forward," Thapa said....