The taskforce, comprising second-rung leaders from the ruling and opposition parties, have been asked to come up with a consensus proposal on the disputed issues within two days. Members of the taskforce include Nepali Congress General Secretary Krishna Sitaula, CPN-UML Vice-chairperson Bhim Rawal, UCPN (Maoist) leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Laxman Lal Karna of Sadbhawana Party.

“The taskforce is mandated to seek consensus over disputed issues in direct consultation with the top leaders if required and come up with a consensus proposal,” said NC Acting General Secretary Purna Bahadur Khadka.

The taskforce was formed with the aim to sort out differences between the ruling and opposition parties over whether to resolve key constitutional issues—federalism, forms of government, judiciary and electoral system—though consensus or go for voting.

The ruling NC and UML want to go for voting if consensus remains elusive while the main opposition UCPN (Maoist) is proposing an all-party conference, including parties outside the CA. “Chairman has proposed to hold such conference to seek consent of parties outside the CA in today’s meeting after taskforce resolves disputes on constitution,” said Choodamani Khadka, aide to Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal.    

Lately, the parties are at odds over the procedure to settle the contentious issues, with the ruling parties pressing for voting in the CA and the opposition insisting on consensus. They are also divided over whether to resend the disputed issues to the Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee for a solution as demanded by the opposition parties.

The CA had earlier instructed the PDCC to come up with questionnaire on disputed issues if consensus could not be formed. The leaders at the cross-party committee had, however, agreed to send all the proposals tabled at the PDCC with an understanding not to put them to vote.

On the forms of government, the two largest

parties have proposed a reformed parliamentary system, while the Maoists have made a fresh pledge for a directly-elected President as the executive head.

Earlier, the parties had reached a tentative understanding to adopt improved parliamentary system, wherein some powers would be shared between the President and the prime minister.

On state restructuring, the parties are at loggerheads over federal delineation of five Madhes-based districts: Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari in the eastern region, and Kailali and Kachanpur in the Far West.

The ruling coalition has proposed federating the country into seven provinces by combining these districts with those in the hills, a position unacceptable to the regional parties. The rift had widened between the ruling and opposition leaders after Maoist Chairman Dahal walked out of Saturday’s “decisive meeting” in reaction to UML Chairman Oli’s comment on the disputed issues of new constitution. But the parties have since returned to the negotiating table.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has taken initiative to iron out differences between the parties and reach consensus on the disputed issues.  

On Thursday, PM Koirala held separate meetings with Maoist Chairman Dahal and UML Chief Oli at Baluwatar. Sources close to PM say he wants to transform the incumbent government into a national consensus one soon after the parties ensure constitution within the set deadline. During the meetings, sources privy to the developments said, Koirala had proposed to transform the current coalition government into a national government by inducting members from UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi parties.

UML Chairman Oli, however, was discontent with the proposal. He suspects the issue of national government was a Maoist ploy to end the current coalition of the NC and the UML.