Ruling, oppn parties talks futile

KATHMANDU, March 30: Although top leaders of the ruling and opposition parties held a series of talks on Saturday and Sunday in view of the deadline served by Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subas Nembang, they have failed to make any headway toward forging consensus.

While Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and his close aides held a meeting with United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) Coordinator Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar on Saturday evening, they held a separate meeting with UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday morning.


As Nembang's deadline was to expire on Sunday, ruling NC leaders had held a meeting with CPN-UML leaders on Saturday.

UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said NC leaders had told them they would be invited for a meeting after holding talks with UML leaders on Saturday. "Although we were waiting, we weren't called for a meeting. Instead, we came to learn that CA Chairman had called a CA meeting for April 6," Shrestha told Republica.

NC and UML leaders held a meeting later in the afternoon to discuss ways to move ahead. But the two parties differed over inviting the opposition alliance for talks.

Talking to media persons after a meeting held with the prime minister earlier in the morning, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Dahal said political deadlock persists as NC and CPN-UML leaders were not taking serious initiative toward resolving disputes in statute writing. "We can still hold positive discussions if ruling parties bring a new proposal by this evening," he said.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Koirala had asked Dahal to withdraw all protest programs. Dahal, however, had expressed inability to withdraw protests unless there is an agreement among the political parties.

Sources said Dahal had also expressed dissatisfaction with Koirala over the recent verdict of the Supreme Court on Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commission for Enquiry on Enforced Disappearances.

Leaders involved in the negotiations said parties differ mainly on the delineation of five districts -- Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa, Kailali and Kanchanpur-in the federal setup. Leaders said they will continue talks although CA Chairman Nembang has announced a date for CA meeting.

Meanwhile, the agitating 30-party alliance is scheduled hold another round of meeting with the ruling parties on Monday decide whether to continue protest activities or hold talks for consensus.

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