The second round of the meeting of the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and Madhesi Front held Saturday evening on the most complex issue - the restructuring of the state.

The meeting made no progress towards an understanding on the subject as the major three parties stuck to their own proposals. The UCPN (Maoist) leaders said that the 10-state model presented by the party a couple of days ago was the party's bottomline saying that was the extent of flexibility it would show, it is learnt.

On the other hand, the NC leaders also further asserted the seven-state model proposed by the party saying that the Maoist proposal was a major departure from the understanding reached during the Hattiban meeting.

NC general secretary Krishna Prasad Situala said after the meeting that the party would clarify its position after an internal discussion.

Meanwhile, the UML appeared to have softened its stance on the issue. UML leader Bhim Rawal, who was present at the meeting, said the party was ready to consider options ranging from 7-state model to 12 states provided the parties show readiness for consensus.

In yesterday's emergency central committee meeting of the party, most of the leaders emphasised on a maximum of seven federal states. However, the party is under tremendous pressure from its lawmakers and central leaders from indigenous communities to recognise ethnic identity as the main basis of federalism.

The top leaders of the four political forces are to meet again Sunday morning. nepalnews.com