During the talks held on the initiative of the umbrella organizations of print and electronic media and the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, the Maoists had insisted that the talks could progress only if Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal stepped down. [break]
On the other hand, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML reiterated that the Maoists should withdraw all their protest programs and reach a comprehensive deal on all issues sorted out earlier.
Top leaders present in the meeting had chosen not to speak before the media after negotiations failed to make any headway. According to a leader present in the meeting, Dahal himself had told organizers that he would not talk to the media and had instead sent Narayan Kaji Shrestha on behalf of the party.
A leader engaged in the negotiations said the talks could not make headway as the parties were yet to do necessary homework before sitting for the talks. “There are many political complications involved,” said the leader.
NC leader Arjun Nara Singh KC told mediapersons that they sat for the dialogue on Wednesday as they could not afford to turn down requests from journalists. He, however, said that there is no alternative to consensus and that they would continue to hold dialogues.
UML leader Pradip Gyawali claimed they have been able to narrow down differences during the meeting. “Though we failed to resolve any issue we have been able to prepare grounds for consensus,” said Gyawali. He, however, declined to divulge details saying they are still in the negotiation process.
Gyawali said that discussions were held on the six-point agenda sorted out earlier and issues related to the extension of the Constituent Assembly term and ongoing Maoist protests.
Maoist Vice Chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha said they will take both the street protests and dialogue simultaneously till their demands are met.
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