While the Maoist and NC held a negotiation at the residence of Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Lazimpat in the morning, the Maoist and the UML sat for a separate talk later in the afternoon on issues related to system of governance and federalism. [break]
The NC and Maoists leaders are scheduled to meet again on Saturday morning before sitting for a three-party talk in their last-ditch efforts to build common positions on the contentious issues.
The leaders of three major parties plan to sit for talks separately with the leaders of Madhes-based parties and other political parties represented in the Constituent Assembly (CA) once they forge a common position on the issues. "As promulgation of new a statute is not possible unless there is consensus among three parties on key issues we are trying our best to forge consensus on all issues within the deadline”" said a NC leader involved in the negotiation.
Leaders of all three parties have chosen not to make public their position during the negotiation as they are preparing for a final give and take in the next round of negotiations.
The Maoist, NC and UML leaders also held intra-party discussions in a bid to find ´meeting point´ on the disputed issues in view of differing stance of the parties.
Talking to media persons after the meeting with the Maoist leaders at Dahal´s Residence in Lazimpat, NC Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel said the meeting discussed ways to find solution to the contentious issues through political consensus.“"We will give an outlet to the issue by sitting again for talks tomorrow [Saturday]," he said.
Paudel said they have made a broader theoretical understanding on system of governance and federalism. He said that NC proposed a system wherein different political parties can share power and that is possible in parliamentary system.
The talks between the two parties also dwelt largely on issues of federalism. The Maoist side had argued that the number and names of federal states should be determined in view of the growing aspirations and expectation of various groups in the country, according to Maoist Secretary Post Bahadur Bogati, who was present in the meeting.
Bogati said the Maoist and NC had reached understanding to give special consideration to give the country a political stability and ensure good governance while choosing system of governance.“Both the parties have reached an understanding to arrive at a consensus assessing the current political circumstances,” he further said.
Though the three parties have made an informal understanding to limit the number of federal states between 6 to 8, they are at odds over the system of governance and on the basis on which federal state are carved out. While NC is rooting for ´improved parliamentary system´ the Maoists have proposed a directly elected president.
Likewise, the UML has proposed directly elected prime minister as an alternative system of governance to ensure political stability in the country. The UML on Thursday asked NC to either bring Maoist in their fold or accept their proposal of directly elected prime minister to reach a consensus on the issue.
Saturday´s meeting
NC-Maoist 8 am at Dahal´s Residence, Lazimpat
Maoist-UDMF 11:30 at Dahal´s Residence, Lazimpat
Maoist, NC, UML and UDMF 4 pm at Constituent Assembly Building
Related story
Kargil runner wins 'Mount Everest Marathon Goodwill Prize'
