The extended deadline for the formation of consensus government is inching closer but the parties look further apart than ever. On Monday, the top leaders of Nepali Congress and UCPN-M held several rounds of talks but failed to arrive at an agreement. The Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai held separate meetings with NC President Sushil Koirala at the latter’s residence. Both the Maoist leaders invited NC to join the present government but their offer was turned by adamant Koirala who insisted that the electoral government must be formed under the NC.
Meanwhile, the top leaders of major parties met yet again at a hotel in Kathmandu on Monday. The meeting focused on the formation of consensus government as well as ways to fulfill the vacant positions in constitutional bodies including Supreme Court and the Election Commission. Although no major decisions were taken, a participant told Nepali Times that the talks were held in a much better environment than the earlier meetings.
After the meeting NC leader Krishna Sitaula expressed satisfaction and said that the parties will arrive at an agreement sooner than later. “We will find solution to both political and constitutional crisis in the next few days.”, he said.
The next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at New Baneswor’s BICC hall.