Big 4 to hold talks with Madhes-based parties today

KATHMANDU, July 29: Four major political parties -- Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D) -- are scheduled to hold talks with dissenting Madhes-based parties on Wednesday.

The four parties decided to hold talks with the agitating parties on Wednesday as top leaders of some of the dissenting Madhes-based parties could not arrive in Kathmandu on Tuesday. The four parties were scheduled to hold talks with these parties on Tuesday.UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said they plan to hold talks with the Madhes-based parties in two different groups after 11 am on Wednesday. "We will first hold talks with the top leaders, including Upendra Yadav, Mahantha Thakur, Rajendra Mahato and Mahendra Yadav. In the next round, we plan to hold talks with other leaders, including Sharat Singh Bhandari and Raj Kishor Yadav," said Shrestha.

Although major political parties have said that contentious issues in the new statute would be settled by Thursday, Shrestha said no serious discussion has taken place on the issues yet. "We have not yet held serious discussions on disputed issues. We hope to start serious discussions only from tomorrow," Shrestha said.

According to Shrestha, the only agreement parties have reached so far is on direct election of ward chairman. The draft constitution said the ward chairman shall be nominated by the village council.

Talking to media persons after the meeting, MPRF-D Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar said the major parties have agreed to change the provisions related to religion and citizenship.

During the feedback collection on draft statute, suggestions were also given to improve the linguistic aspect of the new statute. Sources said a team led by former Law Minister Madhav Paudel is currently working quietly to address those shortcomings.

The four major parties have also decided to listen to the concerns of Supreme Court, Election Commission, Public Service Commission and Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority on the draft statute on Wednesday.

According Maoist Vice Chairman Shrestha, the four parties have decided to listen to their concerns during a meeting scheduled for 9 am at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar. The meeting will last for two hours.

Related story

Big political parties have turned politics into business: Chair...