Nepal coalition parties, Maoists meet to resolve political deadlock

The political parties in Nepal are holding a meeting at Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koiralas official residence at Baluwatar today to break the political deadlock in the wake of the Maoists decision to pull out of the government.

Kathmandu, Sept 19 : The political parties in Nepal are holding a meeting at Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's official residence at Baluwatar today to break the political deadlock in the wake of the Maoist's decision to pull out of the government.

Maoist chairman Prachanda, along with party leaders Dev Gurung and Krishna Bahadur Mahara are also attending the meeting, besides top leaders of other seven parties.

Four Maoist ministers had tendered their resignations announcing the party's withdrawal from the government on Tuesday.

Today's meeting is expected to address the Maoists' demands and persuade them to rejoin the government.

Earlier today, Koirala said that an honest effort would be made to persuade the Maoists to withdraw their decision of quitting the government.

Maoists, however, at their central secretariat meeting today decided not to rejoin the government unless their 22-point demands, including declaring Nepal as a republic and proportional representation in the Constituent Assembly elections, were met.

Besides, other coalition parties, including the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML today called on the Maoists to review their decision.

Prime Minister and NC leader Koirala termed the Constituent Assembly elections as "a great opportunity to bring about radical changes in the country through peaceful and democratic process", and asked the former rebels not to waste the opportunity. he Maoist move is being described as the biggest setback to peace efforts since the rebels ended their insurgency last November.

The Maoists yesterday quit the government and announced nationwide "peaceful" stir to foil the Constituent Assembly elections scheduled for November 22.

Meanwhile, Nepal's Election Commission has taken the latest political development ahead of the elections "seriously".

Election Commissioner Nil Kantha Upreti said "The agitation would affect the preparations for the elections."

Addressing eastern regional conference in Biratnagar, Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav said that there was no alternative to holding the elections on November 22.

"The EC has finished all the technical preparations for the crucial elections," said Yadav.

ANI