Under pressure for consensus, big wigs to meet at 1pm
REPUBLICA ONLINE
KATHMANDU, Nov 2: After intense pressure from President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, top leaders of the three major political parties-- UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML-- and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) are sitting for talks in their bid to forge consensus at 1 pm Friday.
Earlier this morning, President Yadav had summoned the top leaders of the major political forces to his official residence in Shital Niwas and pressed the leaders for much-sought after consensus to end the ingrained political stalemate in the country.
“Now the possibility of the reinstatement of Constituent Assembly (CA) has ended and today’s meeting would decide on new elections,” Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar, deputy prime minister and UDMF coordinator told reporters emerging from the meeting.
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said during their meeting with the president the top leaders assured the state head that they would sort out their differences within next three days.
“The president cautioned the leaders about the critical situation of the country and urged to seek consensus on issues related to budget and ongoing political impasse at the earliest,” Dahal added.
Also speaking to reporters, UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal informed that during the meeting, President Yadav expressed his concerns over the growing differences between the ruling and opposition parties.
“The country could not withstand any more economic crisis. Forge consensus as soon as possible on ending the political stalemate and bringing in full budget,” Khanal quoted the president as saying.
Although the president has held a series of discussions with the top leaders from time to time in the past, the political crisis in the country is still far from over.
The talks among the parties held on Thursday had also failed to yield any result as Maoist Chairman Dahal floated a new proposal, urging the opposition parties to join the current ruling coalition and go for fresh polls.
(With inputs from our correspondent Bal Krishna Adhikari)
Ruling parties to meet at 4 pm
Following the meeting of the major political parties, the ruling coalition partners--UCPN (Maoist) and UDMF--are set to meet at 4 pm today, according to the PM´s aide Bishwodip Pandey. He said the meeting would discuss ways how the government would deal with the situation after the top brass talks among the four major political forces.
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Under Pressure For Consensus, Big Wigs To Meet At 1pm
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