Not that they don´t feel the urgency for talks, but none of the parties is taking any initiative.[break]
While the Maoists and UML leaders say they are holding "inter-party informal talks" to reach some agreements on the contentious issues of the peace process and constitution-drafting before extending the CA term, Nepali Congress (NC) leaders deny that they are engaged in any such talks and blame the ruling parties for failing to take such initiatives.
“We are holding talks at informal levels. Attempts are being made to reach consensus on the contentious issues and sketch a roadmap for peace,” said Maoist politburo member and newly appointed Minister for Health and Population Shaki Basnet.
But the NC leaders say the government is busy with its own "mundane meetings" and the Maoists with their own internal meetings and programs.
“Our party´s ongoing political campaign has not disturbed any talks. In fact we are ready for them. But the government is busy expanding the cabinet, instead of inviting us for talks” said NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi, throwing the blame on the UML and Maoists.
The parties are also not likely to hold talks immediately as Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal left for Turkey on Friday to take part in the fourth UN Conference of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and is scheduled to return only on May 15.
Similarly, Nepali Congress (NC) leaders, who claim they are serious about talks, are currently busy with their National Awareness and Peace Campaign, under which they have been holding large-scale rallies, besides other district-level programs, at various places in the country since April 15. They are scheduled to wrap up the campaign with a mass meeting in Kathmandu on May 20.
Leaders from the UML said they are only holding “informal talks” for now and formal talks would begin after the NC wraps up its program and the prime minister returns.
“The intra-party meetings and other activities of the major political parties and the busy schedule of party leaders have delayed formal talks. But we are holding informal talks,” said UML Chief Whip Bhim Acharya.
On April 20, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in a change in the party line of revolt, announced that his party was ready to prepare the first integrated draft of the constitution before May 28 and finish the task of categorizing Maoist combatants into two groups: those who wish to join the security forces and those who want rehabilitation packages.
But the parties have so far not been able to settle the power-sharing arrangement, which is important for reaching consensus on the peace process and constitution drafting.
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