Parties likely to miss self-imposed deadline

Leaders of major political parties, who had earlier assured the President that they will reach a consensus on a way out of the current political deadlock by mid-October, are unlikely to do so.

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who recently started lobbying for the reinstatement of the Constituent Assembly, is leaving for Brussels tonight. He is to return after five days.

With leaders in the opposition divided over Dahal's proposal, and the festive season fast approaching, major parties are unlikely to reach a 'package deal' within the next few days in the UCPN(M) chief's absence. nepalnews.com