Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said the parties can resolve the problem through consensus if leaders work with honesty.
"Forging consensus is not difficult if leaders sincerely work with the aim of delivering peace and constitution. [break]The only thing we need is to honestly implement the commitments made," the prime minister told reporters at the tea party organized by CPN-UML at its head office in Balkhu.
Urging the Maoists to be sincere toward past agreements, he said, "Though they (Maoists) seem to be serious toward the consequences of the recent political developments, they still need to be more practical in resolving the problem,” Nepal said.
Maoist Vice Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai said the need of the hour is to focus the leaders´ efforts mainly on three tasks-- forming government, drafting the new constitution and concluding the peace process.
"We have to expedite the work to accomplish the tasks because we have very limited time left before the extended term of the Constituent Assembly and the renewed tenure of UNMIN expires," he said. Bhattarai opined that the next government should be formed representing the three major parties and the Madhes-based parties.
UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, as usual, reiterated that there is no alternative to forging consensus. He denied allegations by other parties that the UML had become a major stumbling block to ending the protracted political stalemate.
"The country is heading toward consensus instead. It is due to the initiation taken by the UML. Now the time is ripe for reaching a deal," Khanal claimed.
Nepali Congress (NC) leader Ram Chandra Poudel, the sole candidate in the ongoing prime ministerial election, stressed on the need for a broader agreement on drafting a democratic constitution and the person to head the new government. He said solutions should be sought in a package.
"We have intensified talks lately. We can solve the problems if we deal with it in a package," Poudel said. He, however, ruled out any possibility of withdrawing his candidacy to pave the way for consensus as demanded by the Maoist and UML leaders.
"I don´t agree that the withdrawal of my candidacy will help solve the current problem. Did the resignation of Madhavji [Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal] pave the way for consensus as claimed by the Maoist and UML leaders?"
Senior NC leader Sher Bahadur Daubs said pulling Poudel out of the race was not difficult if the parties create a favorable atmosphere. He meant that his candidacy can be withdrawn by settling some crucial agendas related to the peace process, including the integration of the Maoist combatants.
NC President Sushil Koirala, Maoist Vice chairman Narayankaji Shrestha, former prime minister and Chairman of Nepal Janashakti Party Surya Bahadur Thapa, among other senior leaders from various political parties, ministers, senior officials, diplomats, civil society members and hundreds of party cadres and well-wishers had gathered at the tea party.
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