Kathmandu: Nepal's three major political
parties on Wednesday failed to strike a deal to extend the term of
the Constituent Assembly, deepening the political crisis in
the country which is struggling for stability.
With just three days left for the CA term to expire,
top leaders of major political parties including Maoist
chairman Prachanda, Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala
and Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal held crucial talks at
Gokarna Forest Resort in the outskirt of Kathmandu in a bid to
sort out difference.
However, the meeting could not make any headway though
leaders claim that the talks moved forward in a positive way.
The top three leaders have agreed to meet again
tomorrow to find a way out of the present crisis, said Nepali
Congress central member Bimalendra Nidhi, who was also present
at the meeting.
During the meeting the leaders of the major parties
discussed issues relating to the peace process, constitution
drafting and forging a national consensus, he maintained.
Nepali Congress has presented 10 point demands as
pre-conditions for extending support to the government's move
to extend the term of the Constituent Assembly.
The major demands of the NC include handing over
Maoists' arms, agreeing on modality of army integration,
returning the seized property and dissolution of the present
coalition government.
As the May 28 deadline of CA draws close, the big
three parties have intensified bilateral and trilateral talks
in order to find a common ground to extend the CA's term.
Meanwhile, hundreds of cadres of the Rastriya
Prajatantar Party of Nepal, a pro- monarchist group, picketed
outside the Constituent Assembly building at Nayabaneshwor
shouting anti-government slogans.
They were demanding dissolution of the Constituent
Assembly after May 28 and holding fresh election to conclude
the peace process.
Some of the RPP workers were also chanting slogans for
returning monarchy in the country.
No clear idea is found among political leaders as to
what will happen if the Constituent Assembly is dissolved
after May 28 without extending the term.
Some speculate that presidential rule may be imposed
while others argue that there is still place for peaceful
politics and consensus among the parties even after the May 28
deadline expires without extending the term of the CA.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 21:18