"We are constantly sticking to our position. It is not that we have moved back from the agreement," said Shrestha, talking to journalists on Monday. "And no agreement has been forged so far. We are only holding discussions."

He made it clear that the UCPN (Maoist) is still firm on its stands on issues of judiciary,   electoral system, form of government and federalism. He informed that his party has floated a proposal to forge consensus on judiciary and electoral system and put forward the agreed issues to the constitution drafting committee, while continuing discussions on form of government and federalism.

"Though our initial position was directly elected president, we agreed on the directly elected prime minister," said the UCPN (Maoist) leader. "But we have been saying that we are ready to move forward along with our note of dissent after consensus became elusive despite our flexibility."

But the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN –UML have been pressing to take ahead the proposal ahead by forging consensus without mentioning reservations.  He added that the UCPN (M) is in favour of holding further discussions on the issue of federalism.