All-party' meet to discuss ways to resolve Nepal crisis

Kathmandu, May 5 (ANI): An all-party meeting is being held here today at the UML parliamentary office to discuss ways to resolve the political crisis in Nepal following Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's resignation.

On Monday evening, leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN (UML) met at the UML central office to attempt to form a new coalition.

After the meeting UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal said his party is ready to take over the leadership of the next government.

"It was unfortunate for the nation that the army row led to change in the government," he added.

He stressed on the need for a new agreement among the principal political forces to ensure that the nation gets a new Constitution on time.

UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said that Prachanda's resignation has "paved the way to move forward" and added that the parties would now intensify their deliberations to reach a consensus on the next ruling alliance.

Nepali Congress Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel said his party is in favour of a national consensus on how to move ahead.

He hinted that NC might support the UML to lead the new government.

Meanwhile, the Unified CPN (Maoist) following Prachanda's resignation has decided to launch an agitation in favour of democracy and civil supremacy.

Prachanda had announced his resignation through an address to the nation on Monday afternoon.

However, the European Union (EU) and the United States have expressed serious concern over the current political developments and its possible consequences in the ongoing peace process.

Issuing a press statement, European Union Heads of Mission (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, United Kingdom and European Commission) and the representative of The Netherlands in Kathmandu called on all political parties to act responsibly and in accordance with democratic principles. (ANI)