Consensus still a far cry: Pokhrel

Kathmandu, Oct 15 (UNI) Hectic parleys were on among major political parties in Nepal to find a way out of the political crisis which led to the postponement of Constituent Assembly (CA) polls in the Himalayan nation.

Top leaders of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and the Peoples Front Nepal are holding talks at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar in a bid to find a common ground to pave the way for holding elections in the country.

CPN-UML leader Ishwar Pokhrel was quoted by Kantipur as saying that so far no consensus has been reached.

Despite a series of meetings and discussions among the political parties aimed at resolving the ongoing political deadlock, which started in the build up to the special session of the interim parliament on October 11, the parties are yet not close to a deal.

The Nepali Congress has hinted that it will accept the Maoists demand to declare the country a Republic but at the same time outrightly rejected to adopt a proportional representation system for the CA polls.

According to NC sources, the Maoists need to show that they are flexible by expressing commitment to take part in the polls and fulfill them before they could agree on the Maoist demands beyond the ambit of the initial agreements between the seven parties.

However, Maoists have been firm on their demand of the proportional representation (PR) system although they have softened their stance on declaration of a republic through the House and have expressed willingness to accept the 'commitment proposal' on a republic.

At the same time, the CPN-UML continues to seek common grounds to resolve the stalemate.

It has proposed the 'commitment proposal' for the declaration of a republic and some changes in the interim constitution to legitimise the declaration from the interim parliament, also proposing a few changes in the mixed electoral system to satisfy both Maoists and the NC.

Yesterday, separate meetings were held in the capital between UML, NC and the People's Front, however, they failed to reach on any consensus, sources added.

UNI