Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has urged the political parties representing in the Constituent Assembly to intensify discussions for the formation of a national consensus government.

Speaking in the meeting of 33 political parties called by Speaker Subas Nemwang on Thursday, Dahal stressed the need for national unity government saying that even the absence of a single party in the government may create problems in the peace process and constitution-writing. However, he did not mention which party would lead such a government.

In the meeting, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai urged the opposition parties to join his government, it is learnt. The opposition leaders, however, said that completing the twin task of peace and constitution are more important than joining the government.

Leaders of 15 parties including Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala and UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal presented their views in the meeting. The remaining parties will present their views in the meeting on Saturday. nepalnews.com