UML rejects Maoist proposal for constitution amendment

A meeting of the top leaders of the ruling CPN (UML) and the main opposition Unified CPN (Maoist) on Saturday could not reach any conclusion on ending the deadlock in the parliament.

Sources said the UML leadership rejected the Maoist proposal for an amendment in the Interim Constitution to define the powers of the prime Minister and the President. The Maoist side also repeated its demand that the Prime Minister address the parliament to convince them that the 22-party government is committed to 'civilian supremacy'.

Briefly speaking to reporters after the meeting, Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the legislature-parliament would start functioning normally from Sunday so the government could present the 'advance budget'.

Likewise, UML leader and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal's chief political advisor Raghu Pant said the discussion was fruitful even through it could not arrive at a conclusion. The two parties will again meet on Sunday to find a solution, he said.

In Friday's meeting, the Unified-Maoist had agreed to allow the legislature-parliament to resume normal business from Sunday, but insisted not to allow the government to present its programmes and policies unless the President's 'unconstitutional' move against the erstwhile government's decision to sack the army chief is rectified.

The Maoists have been blocking the regular proceedings of the parliament ever since the government led by them collapsed in the aftermath of the failed attempt to sack army chief Rookmangud Katawal. nepalnews.com July 04 09

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