Embattled Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal held separate meetings with the top leaders of coalition partner UCPN (Maoist) and main opposition party Nepali Congress on Sunday.

PM Khanal conferred with Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala in a desperate bid to save his barely five-month old government as it faces another crisis with Maoists deciding to recall its ministers from the government on Saturday.

Prime Minister Khanal reached Koirala's residence at Maharajgunj this morning to seek NC's support for cabinet reshuffle as per the Maoist decision. In return, Khanal is learnt to have assured Koirala that Maoist will express a time bound commitment to conclude the ongoing peace and statute drafting processes.

According to NC Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel, who was also present during the meeting, President Koirala rejected PM's proposal and instead advised him to step down as per the five-point deal among the three major parties to pave way for the formation of a national consensus government.

Immediately after the meeting, PM Khanal conferred with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Singha Durbar today.

It is learnt that PM Khanal urged Dahal to withdraw the decision of his party to call back its ministers from the government.

In response, Dahal stuck to his party's decision, saying that PM Khanal compelled his party to call back its ministers because of his refusal to comply with its decision for cabinet reshuffle. nepalnews.com.