In the meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar in the evening, the ruling parties Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, representatives of the fringe parties and independent lawmakers struck a single tone for two pronged approach.
The parties held the meeting to discuss on the future course of action in view of the approaching date of the Constituent Assembly meeting. CA Chairperson Subas Nembang has called the CA meeting for April 6 after a prolonged indefinite postponement to facilitate talks.
Emerging from the meeting, CPN (UML) senior leader Jhalanath Khanal said the parties came up with a decision for running the process and dialogue in tandem. "We will put our views at the CA meeting and listen to dissenting views as well," Khanal said.
He added that the Prime Minister had held repeated talks with UCPN (Maoist) led alliance and that negotiation moved forward on varying levels and forms. Khanal refuted the allegations made by the opposition parties that the ruling parties had not taken necessary steps for negotiations and that it did not take place.
"The government and the major parties are still prepared to hold dialogue and we are committed to the notion that solution should be sought through dialogue," Khanal said.
Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak said agitation and strikes would not help in constitution making while adding the parties decided to appeal to the agitating parties to take steps for giving the country a democratic constitution at the earliest by sidelining strikes.
"We are ready to draft a new constitution on basis of consensus and driven with the belief that no stone should be left unturned in the effort and suppleness to be exercised for agreement," he said.
The discussions centered on writing the constitution through consensus not agitation or general strikes, Deepak Bohara of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party said.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Narhari Acharya, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Mahesh Acharya, Nepali Congress Spokesperson Dilendra Prasad Badu, CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli, leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, RPP Chairman Pashupati Shumsher JBR, CPN (ML) General Secretary CP Mainali and Pariwar Dal Chairman Eknath Dhakal among others. RSS
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