A meeting of the opposition alliance held at Singha Durbar on Thursday expressed readiness to accept the decision of major political forces if the latter decide to adopt either six or eight-province federal model.
Similarly, the alliance, which is led by UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, is also ready to adopt mixed electoral model electing 60 percent representatives for the Lower House under the first-past-the-post and the remaining 40 percent under proportional representation (PR)."Interparty talks have moved ahead positively and today's [Thursday] meeting concluded with a commitment to finalize the deals by Monday," said Nepali Congress (NC) Spokesperson Dilendra Prasad Badu while emerging from the four-party meeting held at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar on Thursday.
Chiefs of major political forces -- NC, CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist) and United Madhesi Democratic Front -- held the meeting after all the sides held internal discussions among their parties and with coalition partners.
Dahal attended the four-party meeting after taking consent from the 30-party alliance.
Representatives from the opposition alliance had given to Dahal to accept mixed electoral model with 60:40 ratio for FPTP and PR seats in the Lower House of parliament.
However, Dahal has been trying to convince leaders from some of the constituent parties of the opposition alliance to agree on either the six or eight-province federal system. UCPN (Maoist) has been pressing other major parties that they can accept the six-province model if other parties are ready to name the provinces based on multiple identities.
If the provincial assemblies concerned are to be entrusted with naming the provinces, Maoist leaders are for adopting the eight-province model.
"We are ready to demonstrate maximum flexibility for producing the new constitution. We will not give anyone any room to blame us that the new constitution could not be produced because of our stance," Prem Bahadur Singh, spokesperson for the alliance, told reporters after the meeting.
According to participants of the meeting, Dahal was pretty clear about his stance. A leader said Dahal seemed more committed to making the talks decisive this time around.
"If any of you aren't convinced and can't accept the proposals floated by us, you can attend the four-party meeting and put forth your own differences there," a leader quoted Dahal as saying at the meeting. "I will make necessary arrangements for this."
Meanwhile, the Constituent Assembly (CA) meeting scheduled for Thursday has been deferred for Monday on the request of top leaders of major political parties.
"The CA meeting was postponed as leaders told me that they are close to settling contentious issues and that they need a few more days," CA Chairman Subas Nembang told Republica. "I have urged them settle the disputes by Monday and not delay it further."
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