Dahal intesifies parleys; UML chief says no alternative to polls

UCPN (Maoist) chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal has intensified talks with opposition leaders to resolve the political deadlock.

Dahal, who has been lobbying for reinstatement of the CA, met UML leaders Jhala Nath Khanal and Madhav Kumar Nepal separately earlier on Saturday.

The meeting came a few hours after the UML chief told mediapersons at a programme in the Capital that parties had to other alternative but to go for polls. The six-year old mandate cannot be used to promulgate a constitution, he added.

However, Dahal claimed that UML has agreed to keep the option of reinstating the CA open. "Both the parties have agreed to keep all options open to forge consensus," Dahal told mediapersons after meeting Khanal in Singha Durbar. He said he presented a written proposal to the UML to reinstate the Constituent Assembly to pave the way for elections. The UML Chairman stressed on the formation of a national unity government before any consensus is reached among parties, added Dahal.

The UML and Maoist chiefs have also agreed to organise three-party talks on Saturday. Dahal also called on Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala later on Saturday. nepalnews.com