A meeting of the joint taskforce comprising representatives from government, main opposition Nepali Congress and agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) ended inconclusively on Friday.

Emerging from the meeting at Singha Durbar on Friday, the leaders from both sides claimed that they were “inching closer to agreement” but refused to divulge the details of the shape of agreement.

It was expected that the taskforce would forge a written agreement on Friday after the meeting of big three political parties in Baluwatar discussed the taskforce report on 11-point demand of agitating Madhesi Morcha.

Nepali Congress leader Mahesh Acharya claimed that a lot of differences have been narrowed down. “We will forge a consensus after holding a meeting taskforce on Saturday,” he said.

Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) Vice Chairman Hirdayesh Tripathi, however, expressed his disappointment over lack of credible ground for foring agreement. He claimed that there were no room to become assured that there would be agreement by January 18. “It’s okay if an agreement is reached, otherwise the sky won’t fall,” said Tripathi, “The big three party leaders still don’t seem serious about our demands.”

The big three parties are scheduled to meet in Baluwatar before the meeting of taskforce.

Taskforce members from major parties—Mahesh Acharya of Nepali Congress, Bhim Rawal of CPN-UML and Krishna Bahadur Mahara of UCPN (Maoist)—were present at the meeting.

Likewise, from Madhesi Morcha, Hridayesh Tripathi of Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party and Ram Naresh Raya Yadav of Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party were present at the meeting.

Rajendra Shrestha of Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal, a SLMM member of the taskforce, failed to show up. Mangal Siddhi Manandhar represented on his behalf.