Night Time Meeting Of Major Parties Inconclusive

Kathmandu, May 27: The meeting of the top leaders of the major four political parties including the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) held in the night on Saturday ended inconclusively.

The meeting that was convened immediately after a similar meeting earlier also ended without reaching conclusion too did not yield any results. The earlier meeting was convened aimed at forging consensus especially on the topic of federalism.

Talking to journalists following the meeting, CPN (UML) leader KP Oli said that there was no alternative to issuing a constitution by tomorrow as failure to produce a constitution through the Constituent Assembly even working for four years would not send positive message to the people.

Oli said a multitude of alternatives had been presented on their behalf in the meeting regarding the way ahead by assimilating all aspects of the capacity, identity, naming, numerical strength and delineating the borders of the federal provinces.

He added that although they presented several options, the UCPN (Maoist) and the UDMF did not bring up anything except the topics of the Madhes and ethnic identity.

Leader Oli said the NC and UML proposed to promulgate constitution by incorporating the agreed issues and settle remaining disputes by the transitional Parliament. But the consensus eluded, he added.

Analyzed the situation so far, there was less chance of getting constitution now, however, we would try to forge consensus, leader Oli added.

Similarly, Co-Chairman of the Sadbhavana Party, Laxman Lal Karna, representing the UDMF said the Maoists and the UDMF proposed three options- settling disputed issues through voting, promulgating the constitution keeping on hold the demarcation of provinces, and going for fresh public mandate if the disputed issues are not settled.

However, the NC and the UML rejected our proposals and rather they proposed to form a high level commission which would recommend for the province, and transforming CA as transitional parliament, leader Karna added.