Maoists should leave cantonement to hold any power-sharing talks: Nepal

Kathmandu, May 9 (ANI): Nepal's Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Sunday said the Maoists will have to leave cantonement and the confiscated pieces of land of common men be returned, for any talks over 'power-sharing' to take place.

Speaking to media persons here, Nepal said: "First of all, Maoists should leave the Cantonment, their paramilitary forces should be dissolved and the confiscated lands of common people are (should be) returned. Then only talk of power sharing could begin. Prior to this there is no point in talking," said Madhav Kumar Nepal, Prime Minister of Nepal.

The moderate left wing in Nepal had refused to resign despite the calls by Maoists leaders and indefinite strike launched by them ahead of the May 28 deadline for the completion of a new constitution.

However, the Government of Nepal also mentioned that the consensus would be reached only after the Maoist army was dissolved and Maoists were transformed into a civilian party.

During his meeting with businessmen, the Prime Minister urged the entrepreneurs to help bring Maoists into the main stream.

In recent weeks, talks between the Maoist party, which has the largest number of seats in parliament, and the ruling coalition have failed to make a breakthrough.

The Constitution is crucial in ensuring lasting peace between the Maoists and the state-but few expect the deadline to be met.

The Maoists ended a decade-old insurgency and joined a peace process in 2006. They won elections in 2008 and briefly led a coalition government, but a dispute over the Nepal Army chief's firing, split the coalition. (ANI)