The UCPN (M) has started deliberations with the fringe parties and its ruling partners as part of its initiation to form an alliance to press for identity-based federalism.

In the meeting held at Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar Thursday evening, the Maoist leadership proposed the alliance to counter the position of the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML on federaism, a Baluwatar source said.

"It was a preliminary meeting to form the alliance," the source said.

Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, UCPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior leaders of ruling allies and some fringe parties were present in the meeting. nepalnews.com