The Nepali Congress and the UCPN- Maoist today held positive talks to draft the new constitution within a year as negotiations intensified to form a government to end the political crisis in Nepal.
During a meeting between Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala and Maoist chief Prachanda here at latter's residence here, matters relating to promulgating the new constitution and other issues were discussed.
According to Nepali Congress sources, Koirala urged Prachanda to participate in constitution drafting process and to accept the people's mandate.
According to the sources, both the parties held discussions openly and both sides seemed flexible for resolving problems. The two parties have agreed to continue their discussions.
However, Prachanda demanded formation of a high-level probe commission to inquire into the alleged irregularities in the November 19 Constituent Assembly elections.
On UCPN-Maoist's demand, the NC told Prachanda that all the issues would be resolved through discussion and talks, Nepali Congress Vice-President Ram Chandra Poudel said.
Yesterday, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML decided to start formal negotiations with various dissenting parties, including the UCPN-Maoist, to convene the first meeting of new Constituent Assembly (CA) at the earliest.
The two parties, which had been in informal talks for the last few days, came up with a three-point agreement during the meeting.
They, however, failed to agree on how top positions like President, Prime Minister and Speaker of the Constituent Assembly would be shared.
The CPN-UML is demanding fresh election for the post of President and Vice-president. However, the Nepali Congress is pressing for continuing with President Rambaran Yadav and Vice president Parmananda Jha until the new constitution is promulgated.
In the agreement signed by Koirala and CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, the parties expressed commitment "to respect the people's verdict in the election" and to complete drafting of a new constitution within the stipulated time of one year.
They also agreed to initiate dialogue with the UCPN-Maoist that has been threatening to boycott the 601-seat Constituent Assembly after a bashing in the recent polls.
The Nepali Congress, one of the country's oldest parties, won 196 of the 575 seats up for grabs in the November 19 polls, pushing the former ruling Maoists into third place.
The CPN-UML secured 175 seats while UCPN (Maoists), who swept Nepal's first post-civil war elections in 2008, were humiliated with a tally of 80 seats.
