Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has admitted to failing to convince the main opposition Unified CPN (Maoist) in resolving the deadlock in the legislature-parliament, but blamed the Maoists for trying to belittle the parliament and undermine politics of consensus.

The Maoists have been disrupting the parliament sessions for a month now saying other parties must be ready to discuss the 'unconstitutional step' taken by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav in the House.

Speaking at a felicitation programme at Gothatar, Kathmandu Saturday morning, Nepal said he made several attempts to convince the Maoists but they have not budged an inch towards resuming the parliamentary proceedings. He also accused the Maoists of trying to hold the parliament hostage by blocking its proceedings for a long time.

He also took the Maoists to task for "deviating from politics of consensus and cooperation". Stating that strikes and protests are not appropriate means to find solution to the current problem, PM Nepal said that the opposition party didn't seem to realise the consequences of continued obstruction and strikes.

Nepal said in no way the President's move as unconstitutional but the issue of civilian supremacy could be discussed among political parties.

Referring to lawlessness and violence across the country in recent times, PM Nepal said security agencies had been instructed to take stricter action to anyone violating laws -- without seeing any political affiliation or attachment.

Since his appointment as prime minister, Nepal frequented the two constituencies - Kathmandu-2 and Rautahat-6 - from where he had lost the CA election. nepalnews.com June 27 09