Maoist, UML reaches agreement on forming next Government in Nepal

Kathmandu, June 24 : The Communist Party of Nepal- Maoist (CPN-M) and the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) have reached an agreement to seek consensus with other parties on amendment to the constitution for forming the next Government in Nepal.

According to Kantipur, during a meeting at Singha Durbar on Monday, the party decided to seek consensus with other parties.

The two parties will also try to persuade Nepali Congress to withdraw its conditions, but are prepared to move ahead without the Nepali Congress if the latter refuses.

"All other political parties should seek consensus to find a way out of the crisis if Nepali Congress doesn't withdraw its stance," said UML leader Ishwar Pokharel.

"We will first try to seek consensus with Nepali Congress. But we will introduce a non-government bill to amend the constitution if Nepali Congress doesn't withdraw its demand by Wednesday," said senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai.

Bhattarai added that the process of forming the next government would begin once the interim constitution is amended and a new president elected through a simple majority of CA members.

However, Maoist leader Dev Gurung claimed it was on part of Nepali Congress putting one condition after another creating obstacle to formation of new government.

Gurung said the Nepali Congress raised the issue of seat for opposition party in the Security Council, which was not included in seven-point demands put forward, by the party earlier.

Stating that Nepali Congress is taking advantage of the current situation, Gurung said his party was close to consensus with UML on matters of power sharing and formation of new government.

The seven parties have already agreed to amend the current constitution to enable a simple majority to appoint the president.

ANI