Leaders of political parties in the oppoistion have lauded the president’s move to set a deadline for political parties to reach a package deal on the budget, government formation and new election.

Earlier on Monday President Ram Baran Yadav told leaders of major political parties that he would formally call on all parties to form a government of national consensus with a timeline in accordance with the provision of the Interim Constitution if they failed to reach consensus by November 22.

Speaking at an interaction in the Capital, Nepali Congress UML and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum- Nepal leaders said the President should have set such a deadline immediately after May 27, the day the Constituent Assembly's tenure expired.

NC central working committee member Arjun Narsingh KC urged the president not to remain a spectator to the ongoing political crisis. "The Head of State should play a leading role to resolve the crisis."

"The president should have made such a move immediately after the dissolution of the CA," UML Secretary Shankar Pokharel said adding that the president’s 'ultimatum' was something that was needed to resolve the deadlock. "Only a gpvernment of national consensus can bring the budget", the UML leader reiterated.

MJF-N chief Upendra Yadav said there PM Baburam Bhattarai should immediately put in his papers. "The president, as the Head of State, cannot just sit in his office reading newspapers and watching tv."

Speaking at the same programme, UCPN (Maoist) leader Amik Serchan said the President does not have any constitutional authority to oust the government, let alone form a new one. "Any move by the President will worsen the situation." nepalnews.com