Parties' talks inconclusive, but still ongoing

(Updated)



KATHMANDU, July 4: Separate talks between the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and the main opposition Unified CPN (Maoist) and between CPN-UML and Nepali Congress (NC) on ending Maoist obstruction in the parliament failed to yield any result on Saturday also. [break]



All the three parties remained firm in their respective stances, according to leaders.



"Talks moved in a positive direction. But, we still failed to break the ice," Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal told reporters after the meeting.



The Maoists are continuously obstructing the House proceedings ever since the erstwhile Prime Minister Dahal stepped down after President Dr Ram Baran Yadav undid his decision to sack the army chief.



Dahal said they want categorical mentioning of issues raised by the Maoist party in the proposed address by the prime minsiter in the parliament for ending the deadlock. "But, they (UML leaders) are trying to fuzz the issue," Dahal said.



The Maoists are demanding that the prime minister in his address to the parliament mention the president´s move as an unconstitutional step and allow discussion on it in the parliament.



The speaker has so far failed to prorogue the winter session and start budget session due to continued obstruction by the Maoists. The Maoists have proposed that the government present a vote of credit bill in the parliament instead of regular budget for the next fiscal year.



Maoists have said they would prevent the president from presenting policy and program of the government in the House until their demands are addressed.



The Maoists have also demanded that the interim constitution should be amended to clearly define the jurisdiction of the president and the prime minister.



"We have proposed to elucidate the provisions which are not clear in the constitution so that such a situation does not repeat in the future," Dahal said.



However, CPN-UML and Nepali Congress have rejected both the Maoist proposals -- presenting vote of credit bill and amendment to the interim constitution.



"We ruling parties are not in favor of amending the constitution," said the prime minister´s political advisor Raghuji Panta.



The talks between UML and NC leaders held at the prime minister´s official residence in Baluwatar in the evening failed to resolve the matter. "We discussed the matter in detail and we thought that further talks are needed," said Panta.



Budget will be presented at any cost: Koirala



Meanwhile, Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said on Saturday that the budget and the policy and program of the government will be presented in the House at any cost. "We must present the budget in the House at any cost. Maoists are raising this issue just as a bargaining tool," Koirala said at a gathering in Kathmandu.



Ram Chandra Poudel, NC parliamentary party leader, ruled out any possibility of presenting a budget without first presenting policy and program.

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