Leaders said bailing the country out of the current problem would be almost impossible if the parties don´t go hand in hand at least until the peace process was taken to a logical conclusion and the constitution drafting process was over.
Leaders from Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and Unified CPN (Maoist) Deputy Leader in the parliament Narayan Kaji Shrestha to Nepal Pariwar Dal lawmaker Eknath Dhakal unequivocally stressed the need for forging a national consensus.
"The consensus, collaboration and unity have the power which can not be destroyed by any gun or any atom bomb," said Koirala. "We should never quit the path of the consensus, collaboration and unity to make the constitution-making and peace process a success."
Koirala said the culture of consensus, collaboration and unity has been disturbed for some reasons in the recent days but he did not like to blame the Maoists for that.
"Due to my age and health factors, I don´t want to blame anybody for the disturbance, rather I readily take all the blames and appeal to all the parties to come together in the course of the consensus, collaboration and unity," he said.
Koirala also urged the Maoists, who boycotted the process of electing the prime minister in the parliament, to review their position. "I don´t know why Prachanda Ji (Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal) deviated from his historical responsibility at the final stage," he said.
Koirala urged Dahal to contribute to the peace and constitution-making process even if they stay outside the government. "For that I have thought of a high-level political mechanism to guide the government functions, and settle disputes," said Koirala. "I will also remain active in the mechanism despite my poor health and also request Prachanda (outgoing PM Dahal) to participate in the mechanism."
He also termed Nepal just an actor walking in the path of consensus. Koirala said a fresh initiative was required for the parties to return to the path of consensus. Maoist leader Shrestha said the parties need to take a fresh initiative like that of 12-point understanding or advanced if they are to achieve the desired goal of peace and constitution. Shrestha said a government formed through headcount of the lawmakers cannot give solution to the country´s outstanding problems.
UML leader Khanal said his party had long been advocating national consensus. "I hope the Maoists will also join a "consensus" government," he said.
Madhesi parties have their conditions.
Leaders of all the Madhesi political parties said they have conditionally supported the new government. They said they wanted the agreement signed by the government with United Democratic Madhesi Front in February 2008 should be implemented.
"We have supported and decided to take part in the government after Nepali Congress and CPN-UML agreed to implement the agreement," said Madhesi People´s Rights Forum leader Bijaya Gachchhadar.
Tarai Madhes Democratic Party leader Mahantha Thakur said the government would be a forum for the Madhesi party to fight for Madhesi rights. "We will continue fighting for One Madhes One Pradesh and want to be free from 240 years of internal colonial rule in Madhes," he said.
Rajendra Mahato of Sadbhavana Party suggested the big parties not to ignore the importance of minor parties in the government.
CP Mainali of CPN-ML, however, said his party would not support the government if Nepal had given his consent to implement the eight-point agreement with the Madhesi front.
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