21 parties for consensual govt in Nepal

Kathmandu, May 6 (ANI): In the wake of the fresh political crisis triggered off by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's resignation, 21 political parties who were represented in the Constituent Assembly (CA) have decided to form a government of national consensus under the leadership of CPN-UML that pulled out of the Maoist dispensation.

An all-party meeting called by the CPN-UML skipped by the Unified CPN (Maoist) and the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) on Tuesday took decision.

Nepali Congress Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel said all the parties would try to form a consensual government within the time asked by the President Ram Baran Yadav

UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said, "The Maoist party in its capacity as the largest party in the CA has already led the government. Now, a path has been paved for a chance for another party to do so. But this does not mean that the Maoists will not be allowed to lead from now."

"We will try to persuade all the parties to participate in this process till the end," Nepalnews quoted him, as saying.

President Yadav urged all political parties called on the CA to form a new government by Saturday.

The meeting was not attended by the Maoists, which ruled the country for nine months and resigned after the coalition partners withdrew their support over a unilateral decision to sack army chief General Rukmangud Katawal. (ANI)