Deuba made the request during his meeting with CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya at the latter´s residence in Dhapasi. During the 50-minute long meeting, Deuba urged Baidya to participate in the election for the good of both his party and of the country. [break]
While Baidya was accompanied by party General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa, Deuba was accompanied by his party colleague Bimalendra Nidhi.
“Election is a must to draft a new constitution. This will also provide you an opportunity to renew the contact with the people,” Deuba told Baidya.
Deuba had also asked Baidya to forward their demands clearly so that the major parties could address them. “A meeting of the High Level Political Committee on Monday also decided to hold talks with the agitating parties, including yours. We will try to address your concerns,” Nidhi quoted Deuba as telling Baidya.
Allaying Baidya´s concern, Deuba also told Baidya that the government had taken no decision to go to the polls without participation of CPN-Maoist. “It is meaningless to hold talks with the government as the government is reluctant to scrap the 11-point political deal and 25-point ordinance,” Baidya had told Deuba.
Deuba had tried to convince Baidya saying that changing the government at this crucial hour would only thwart the election process. “But we are ready to address your concerns other than those relating to changing the government. You can also be part of the HLPC. We can discuss all your issues there,” Nidhi quoted Deuba as saying.
On the occasion, Baidya had told Deuba that his party had not yet decided whether to boycott or participate in the election. “I am not in position to say if we would participate in the polls. I will put this matter before my party for discussion,” Baidya had told Deuba.
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