The five hour long all-party meet called by President Ram Baran Yadav at Shital Niwas today ended inconclusively as the parties decided to reconvene at a later date after deliberating over Mohan Baidya-led coalition’s proposal. The alliance made three major demands including the resignation of Khil Raj Regmi from his chief justice post to allow this government to continue, agreements on contentious issues in constitution writing through an all-party round table before elections, and pushing back the poll date to March.
The CPN-M had requested the President Yadav to call for the gathering after previous meetings with the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) failed to yield any result. Secretary Dev Gurung told journalists that his party’s proposal was received positively by all the leaders. “The parties said they needed a day for internal discussions. We are positive that we will reach an extensive agreement soon,” said Gurung.
Ever since Upendra Yadav’s morcha, Sarad Singh Bhandari’s National Madhes Socialist Party, and Ashok Rai’s Federal Socialist Party decided to participate in polls, the Baidya-led agitating alliance has faced immense pressure to conform. Earlier the 33 fringe parties had refused to hold talks with the four parties and the government unless the Interim Election Council led by Khil Raj Regmi was replaced and the 11-point agreement that led to formation of the Interim Election Council scrapped. The opposition seems to be finally realising that only by participating in elections can they guarantee their political future.
Speaking at another program on Friday, UCPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that efforts were being made to bring Baidya and co on board for elections. “If they are willing to take part, we will consider postponing election date till the end of November.”
Although the Election Commission has made it clear that it is ready to meet the 19 November deadline, going by Dahal’s statement today it seems like back door negotiations could lead to a tweak in election timetables.