During his meetings with the top leaders of UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist and Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (Democratic) on Saturday, Ai also urged them to forge national consensus at the earliest to bail the country out of the current constitutional crisis. He also assured all possible help from China in the economic development of Nepal.[break]
Ai is a senior Chinese leader visiting Nepal after the dissolution of the CA. He inquired with leaders about efforts being made to forge consensus.
"I got an impression that China is impatient about the latest political developments in Nepal. They seemed worried that growing political discord could plunge their southern neighbor into a prolonged political crisis," said member of the foreign relations department of CPN-UML Milan Tuladhar, who was also present during Ai´s meeting with UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
Ai, who heads the international department of CCP, arrived in Kathmandu Friday night, leading a six-member delegation, to assess the current political situation and strengthen relations between CCP and the major political parties in Nepal. The delegation will return to China on Sunday morning, according to Chinese Embassy Spokesperson Peng Wenlin.
During the meeting with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Ai inquired about the split of the UCPN (Maoist) and the cause of CA dissolution. He asked whether the split would affect the constitution drafting and peace process.
According a press statement posted on Dahal´s personal website, Dahal told that the CA had to face its demise due to differences among parties on the issue of federalism. He also assured that the split in the UCPN (Maoist) would not affect the peace and statute drafting process.
Similarly, NC President Sushil Koirala told Ai that NC is taking proactive initiatives for talks with other political parties to resolve the current political deadlock. He told Ai that the country had to face constitutional crisis as the Maoist-led government unilaterally announced date for CA election after dissolving the CA, according to Koirala´s press assistant Bipul Pokharel.
Visiting Chinese leader Ai had expressed concern over the prolonged political transition and failure to draft new constitution during his meeting with UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
Ai also held separate meetings with Chairman of the newly formed CPN-Maoist Mohan Baidya and MPRF (D) Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar and discussed the political crisis in the aftermath of the CA dissolution. Ai said the delegation won´t meet President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai.
Parties fail to forge consensus, again