As Dahal floated his proposal at the very outset, the meeting ended deciding only to meet again on Tuesday. [break]
The meeting was supposed to discuss a proposal on contentious issues of the peace process, especially integration numbers and rehabilitation package, prepared by a taskforce comprising representatives of the major parties.
"He proposed at the meeting to prepare a joint proposal after holding a meeting with [NC President] Sushil Koirala and [CPN-UML Chairman] Jhalanath Khanal," said NC leader Dr Minendra Rijal, who participated in the meeting.
Leaders said that the proposal was unexpected. They said Dahal might have sought a day´s time to convince leaders of the Mohan Baidya faction over the contents of the much-awaited deal.
Though the major parties have been claiming in recent days to be closer to a peace deal, such a deal has not yet been finalized, mainly due to intra-party conflict in the Maoist party. NC and CPN-UML leaders said that the deal now depends on the Maoist leaders.
Asked about progress at the meeting of top leaders proposed by Dahal, one leader who participated said, "The meeting of top leaders proposed by Dahal means that their helping hands will work to settle the contentious issues."
Shortly after the meeting, the top leaders directed the taskforce, which comprises Barshaman Pun of the Maoists, Krishna Sitaula of NC and CPN-UML´s Bhim Rawal, to work on the contentious issues, according to a taskforce member.
"We have been discussing the outstanding issues of the peace process, especially integration numbers and rehabilitation package" said the member, requesting anonymity.
According to a Baluwatar source, the top leaders of the three parties are meeting before a tea party to be hosted there by the prime minister at 4 pm. "A larger meeting of the party leaders will be convened after the tea party to finalize the deal."
At Monday´s meeting held at Park Village Resort, Dahal also stipulated that constitution drafting, power sharing, appointments to constitutional bodies, formation of an experts team on state restructuring, and formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Commission on Disappearances should also be agreed in a package while finalizing the peace deal, according to participants in the meeting.
Dahal, during his 15-minute opening statement at the meeting, said the peace process and constitution drafting should be advanced simultaneously, which is also a demand of the Baidya faction.
"All his statements at the meeting seemed aimed overall at addressing the demands of the Baidya faction," another participant said reading between the lines of Dahal´s verbal statement.
Dahal´s statement had invited sharp criticism from former prime minister Madhav Kuamar Nepal. The senior CPN-UML leader, according to the leader, was of the view that the meeting should discuss the agenda and should not be postponed as demanded by Dahal.
"Nepal advised Dahal to forge understanding within his party first and then come to the meeting," the leader said.
The meeting then briefly discussed integration numbers and rehabilitation package. "The meeting has narrowed down the differences over various contentious issues. It focused more on integration numbers and rehabilitation package," said CPN-UML leader Pradip Gyawali, who participated in the meeting.
According to another participant, Maoist leaders insisted that the number for integration should be between 6,000 to 7,000 while NC and CPN-UML said it should be between 5,000 to 6,000.
Similarly, on the rehabilitation package, the Maoist leaders insisted that it should involve Rs 600,000 to 900,000 in cash while NC and CPN-UML said it should be between Rs 400,000 to Rs 700,000.
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