Kathmandu: Amid a political impasse in Nepal, Maoist supremo Prachanda on Saturday voiced confidence that a solution will soon be found and leaders of all major parties will reach consensus on forming a national unity government.
"I have met top leaders of both the opposition parties Nepali Congress and CPN-UML today and I am confident that the current situation of stalemate will soon end," UCPN-Maoist president Prachanda said, while addressing the annual general meeting of Kathmandu District Chapter of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ).
Prachanda has underlined the need to forge cooperation and collaboration among the forces who were parties to the 12 point agreement reached in Delhi in November 2005, to end autocratic monarchy and restore multiparty democracy in the country.
He also cautioned people against conspiracy being hatched to drag the country towards an autocratic regime.
"I am very much hopeful that the country will be rescued from the current situation of deadlock before the six day deadline issued by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav ends," he said.
President Dr Yadav had extended the deadline issued to the political parties to form a consensus government for the second time yesterday.
Nepal is being run by a caretaker government for the past five months after Prime Minister Madhab Kumar Nepal stepped down on June 30. The 17th round of the prime ministerial elections has been postponed twice after failing for 16 times and uncertainty looms as to when the elections will be held.
Nepali Congress spokesman Dilendra Prasad Badu said that
there is no alternative for going to the fresh election for drafting the constitution by forming a consensus government.
He asked the Maoist leaders to become sincere and honest in order to end the atmosphere of mistrust among the political parties.
Since institutionalisation of democratic achievements is essential for preserving press freedom, we all need to work towards consolidating democracy and republican system, he pointed out.
Both democracy and national independence are under threat under the present Maoist led government, said CPN-UML leader Pradip Gyawali, adding political parties should work for national interest not for party interest.
With the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly the country has now become like a person with multiple organ failure, Gyawali pointed out.
He asked the Maoist leaders to play constructive role in order to give a way out to the current stalemate.
On the occasion FNJ President Shiva Gaunle warned to launch agitation if the Maoist led government withdraws cases against those involved in killing journalists in the past and if the government does not take immediate steps to improve the condition of journalists.
He also asked the government and the political parties to be responsible and accountable towards the press.
PTI
