Two major political parties Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) have finally forged consensus on state restructuring and forms of governance – two most disputed subjects of constitution drafting – on Tuesday.

The tentative agreement was reached during a two-party meeting held at CPN (UML) party headquarters in Balkhu this morning. However, details regarding on what points of the two topics the two parties have forged understanding and whether it has been formalized is not known.

Both NC and UML agree on finer points of federalism, saying that identity and “economic viability”, not ethnicity, should be considered while federating the country. However the two parties differ on one crucial aspect of forms of governance: while NC favors parliament-elect prime minister as the executive head and the president the ceremonial head of the state, UML is standing for directly-elected prime minister as the executive head and the president of the ceremonial head of the state.

The meeting also decided to continue discussions between the two parties to forge consensus on other contentious topics of constitution drafting as well as participation in the current government and also hold talks with UCPN (Maoist) simultaneously for the same.

UML had on Monday put forth preconditions to join the Bhattarai-led “national unity government”, saying that the decisions to give important ministerial berths to United Democratic Madheshi Front and reorganize various ministers must be reviewed if it is to join the government. nepalnews.com