An hour-long meeting held between CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at UML´s parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar on Tuesday afternoon decided that the two parties would hold a meeting with Nepali Congress President President Girija Prasad Koirala on Wednesday to discuss Maoist demands.
The decision comes in the wake of the Maoists announcing fresh protests beginning November 1. Among other things, the Maoists have demanded a national government under their leadership.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, Maoist Chairman Dahal said they have agreed to hold a meeting of the top leaders of the three parties -- NC, CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist) -- to find a peaceful solution. “Jhala Nath ji will coordinate with NC for a meeting,” he said.
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CPN-UML Chairman Khanal told reporters that they agreed to intensify negotiations. “There is no alternative to consensus since fresh protests will not bring any desirable result,” he added.
According to Khanal, both the leaders were of the view that peace process and constitution-drafting task won´t be accomplished on time if the Maoists opted for fresh movement. “The Maoist told us that it was their compulsion, not a choice, to go for movement,” he added. “The Maoists have reiterated that they are committed to the ongoing peace process.”
Asked what the official position of the CPN-UML is over the Maoist demand for national government, Khanal said there is no alternative to a national government to bail the country out from the current political deadlock. “The current government was formed out of compulsion,” he said. “The UML is always in favor of a national government.”
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