3-party talks conclude inconclusively

RSS

KATHMANDU: The talks held on Monday between the three major political parties to forge an understanding over the decision taken by the UCPN-Maoist to reconstitute the Council of Ministers ended inconclusively, after the main opposition Nepali Congress disapproved it.

The Congress objected to the reconstitution proposed at a time when the Prime Minister should have already resigned as per the five-point agreement reached to take the task of peace and constitution ahead.

An agreement was however reached at the talks held at the residence of Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala to move ahead with the peace process and the constitution drafting process.

Talking to reporters following the talks, NC Central Member Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said the act of the Maoist party to send a jumbo team to the government to reconstitute the Council of Ministers was deplorable.

"We cannot accept the reconstitution of the Cabinet as it would affect the enforcement of the five-point agreement", Dr Mahat said.

Vice-president of UCPN (Maoist), Dr Baburam Bhattarai said the Maoist party is not against the formation of the government of national consensus, and the reconstitution of the Cabinet would not affect it.

"We are trying to send an inclusive team on behalf of the party, it will not have any effect on the formation of a national consensus government", he said.

Earlier, this morning, UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had met Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal to apprise him of the decision taken by the party to send a new team to the Cabinet.

However, Prime Minister Khanal had suggested forging a consensus for the same between all the parties in the government, including the main opposition party.

The Maoist party in the three-party dialogue today was represented by Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Vice-chairmen Mohan Baidya and Dr Baburam Bhattarai and General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa.

On behalf of the CPN-UML, Party President and Prime Minister Khanal, senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal and Minister Poudel were present while the NC was represented by President Sushil Koirala, Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel, central members Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and Dr Minendra Rijal.