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UML, Maoist top brass differ on 'draft agreement'

Senior leaders of ruling CPN (UML) and the agitating main opposition Unified CPN (Maoist) met Thursday morning, discussing ways to end the parliamentary deadlock, but could not arrive at any understanding.

The meeting ended inconclusively as the Maoist side repeated its demand that the government uphold the previous government's decision to sack army
chief Rookmangud Katawal and the Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal deliver a speech in the parliament opposing the President's move against that decision.

On the other hand, UML leaders proposed to give 'retirement' to Katawal few weeks before he retires officially, and appoint Lt General Kul Bahadur Khadka as the Prime Minister's defence advisor. The Maoist leadership rejected the UML's proposal, it is learnt.

Senior leaders of the two parties are to hold another meeting today in an attempt to reach agreement.

Prior to the meeting, the leaders of both the parties had said that they close to reaching an agreement and the meeting would finalise the points of agreement. They said the draft of a four-point agreement submitted by UML chief whip Bhim Acharya to Maoist chief whip Posta Bahadur Bogati would get finishing touch in the meeting.

The Prime Minister will address the parliament if the two parties reach the agreement.

On Tuesday, UML and Maoist top brass had reached "verbal agreement" to end the ongoing political impasse during a meeting held at Godavari Village Resort, Lalitpur. nepalnews.com Jun 11 09