UML, UCPN (Maoist) snub meeting called by PM

KATHMANDU, Sept 13: The meeting of major three parties scheduled for Sunday has been put off. The meet slated at Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar was postponed after leaders of other parties didn’t show up.

The meet was called by PM Sushil Koirala to discuss demands of the agitating groups.

PM Koirala’s Press Advisor Prateek Pradhan informed the meet was put off after leaders of UML and UCPN (Maoist) snubbed the meeting citing busy schedule, adding that top-leaders of major parties will address the Constituent Assembly (CA) meeting scheduled for this afternoon.

Sources said leaders of other parties didn’t attend the meet knowing that PM Koirala, also the Chairman of Nepali Congress (NC), is for deferring clause-wise voting on the constitution bill for few more days.

Earlier on Saturday evening, President Ram Baran Yadav telephoned PM Koirala and urged the latter to promulgate the statute taking all sides into confidence even by elongating the constitution writing process.

The PM called the three-party meet after suggestion from the head of the state.

UML leader Rajan Bhattarai said his party didn’t attend the meet as major three parties on Friday had agreed not to sit for any meet before the CA meeting on Sunday.

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