Nepalese parties fail to reach understanding on forming govt

Kathmandu, Aug 8 (PTI) Nepal's major political parties Thursday failed to reach an understanding on a common agenda to form a government of national consensus as the deadline for the setting up of a new administration led by Maoists expires Friday.

As the chances of a coalition government becomes dimmer, senior Maoist leader
Mohan Vaidya 'Kiran' accused Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala of consulting
with different political parties with a view to form a government excluding the
Maoists.

Maoists are not in a position to lead the next government as national and
international forces were conspiring against them... the Maoists prefer to sit
in the opposition, Kiran today said at an interaction programme here.

Meanwhile, serious consultations were underway among senior leaders of major
political parties today as the 19th day deadline given by President Ram Baran
Yadav to the Maoists to form a government expires Friday.

Koirala met former general secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal and former
premier Surya Bahadur Thapa and discussed about the formation of the new
government, according to party sources. He Wednesday met leaders of small
parties including Terai-based parties and discussed the matters relating to the
government formation.

Maoists chairman Prachanda today met CPN-UML general secretary Jhala Nath
Khanal to discussed the ways to form the next government. After the meeting,
Prachanda said they will form a majority government if a government based on
consensus cannot be formed.

However, UML general secretary Khanal said they prefer a government based on
national consensus rather than a majority.