Formal agreement on Regmi-led govt around the corner, say leaders

Four major political parties have claimed that they are very close to sealing a formal deal on installing an electoral council headed by Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi.

Emerging from a meeting of four parties Thursday evening, the leaders said they had resolved all sticking points except for the ranks to be given to the former Maoist combatants to be integrated into the Nepal Army. They said a package agreement is going to be signed between the four parties "in a day or two".

In Thursday's meeting, the parties resolved the differences on formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and updating of voter list. As per the understanding, the TRC ordinance won't have provision for amnesty to those involved in serious human rights violations during the Maoist insurgency while the voter list used in the elections in 2008 will be updated.

"There will be formal agreement on ways to remove the constitutional hurdles on Friday or Saturday and the new Prime Minister will be sworn in -- possibly on Friday itself," UCPN (Maoist) vice chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha told reporters after the meeting held at the office of the Secretariat of the Army Integration Special Committee, Naya Baneshwor.

The four-party taskforce, which comprises the second-rung leaders, is to meet Friday to recommend ways to remove the constitutional hurdles. It is expected to consult constitutional experts before coming up with its recommendation. nepalnews.com