Speaking at an all-party interaction organized by CPN-Maoist, the breakaway faction of the ruling UCPN (Maoist), in capital Monday, and participated by ruling parties as well, opposition leaders said they are left with no alternative other than to launch protest to build pressure for consensus. [break]
"Prime Minister Bhattarai should step down immediately and a new consensus govenrment should be formed," Nepali Congress leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said adding that only Bhattarai´s resignation will pave the way for consensus government.
He also said that last week´s meeting of the four parties -- UCPN (Maoist), Congress, UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front -- had not decided but just proposed that fresh CA election should be held. He said that CA election is not a must if consensus is possible.
Speaking at the function, CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya urged parties to rise above their vested interests and work honestly for promulgating a new constutitution, building on whatever has been agreed so far.
"If there is no consensus through talks then the opposition should be prepared for stringent protests," said Baidya.
Similarly, CPN-UML Secretary Yuvaraj Gyawali said that it will be fatal for Bhattarai to remain in the government. "UCPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML both parties led government two times each, after the peace process. Our party already proposed the Congress to lead the new government," said Gyawali.
Madhesi People´s Rights Forum Chairman Upendra Yadav and Rastriya Janashakti Party leader Prakash Chandra Lohani speaking on the occasion demanded that the prime minister resign immediately. But, the prime minister´s political advisor Devendra Paudel said Bhattarai will quit only after a package deal among parties for ending the impasse.
Sadbhabana party chairman and health minister Rajendra Mahato also said they are ready to quit the government but the package deal is a precondition.
Twenty ruling and opposition parties and civil society members participated in the function.
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