HLPC apprises Yadav, Regmi of deal with FDF

KATHMANDU, Aug 31: The High Level Political Committee (HLPC) has apprised President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Chairman of Interim Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi of the six-point agreement reached earlier with Upendra Yadav-led Federal Democratic Front (FDF).



In separate meetings held with President Yadav and Regmi Saturday morning, the top leaders of the major parties represented in HLPC also briefed them on the progress in talks with the agitating Ashok Rai-led Federal Socialist Party (FSP)and Mohan Baidya-led 33-party alliance.



Talking to Republica, Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr Minendra Rijal said they submitted a copy of the six-point agreement with FDF to Yadav and Regmi. “We apprised them of efforts being made to bring the agitating parties on board the election process,” Rijal said. [break]



The meeting on Saturday comes a day after HLPC meeting held at its secretariat in New Baneshwar Friday evening decided to ask the government to start the process for amending the statute while continuing efforts to bring FSP and 33-party alliance led by Mohan Baidya on board the election process. The meeting had also decided to formally ask the government to initiate the process for amending the interim constitution in line with the agreement reached with FDF.



Leaders of UCPN (Maoist) and NC had said there must be consensus between all the political parties represented in HLPC to meet the demands of FSP. “We told that we will sit again for talks with FSP after the CPN-UML receives mandate from its central committee on the demands put forth by FSP,” Rijal further said.



The five-point demand of FSP includes dissolution of HLPC, an all-party conference to settle thorny issues in constitution writing, revision of the 25-point ordinance and the 11-point political deal reached among the four big parties, voting rights for Nepali citizens living abroad, 58 percent seats under the proportional representation electoral system.



HLPC leaders told Yadav and Regmi that they would continue their efforts to bring the Baidya-led alliance on board the election process. “Though some of the demands of Baidya-led alliance are difficult to meet, we have making sincere efforts to convince them into joining the poll process,” the leaders told Yadav and Regmi.

During the meeting, HLPC leaders also urged Yadav and Regmi to hold a separate meeting of political parties for consultations and expedite necessary preparations for the polls.

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