The Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal (SSFN) led by Upendra Yadav has inched closer to an agreement with the ruling CPN-UML. The party will join the government immediately after signing the deal once the draft is finalised.

According to a CPN-UML leader present in the meeting between the two parties, the SSFN has stuck to its position of constitution amendment. “We have reached an agreement to find a middle-path on the issue of constitution amendment,” said the leader, seeking anonymity. “Both the leaders of ruling parties [CPN-UML Chairman and PM KP Sharma Oli and Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal] are positive about the agreement,”

Though the leaders have prepared a three-point draft agreement, they have not finalsed the deal. “The agreement and issues discussed earlier have not made much progress,” said SSFN co-chairman Rajendra Shrestha. He added the discussions will be concluded very soon.

Forum has demanded three ministerial portfolios including Foreign Ministry to join the government. However, the UML has assured to give only two ministries including the Foreign Ministry. It has been learnt that SSFN will be allowed to take state ministers of the ministries held by UML and Maoist Centre.

Even though MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav was ready to join the government on Monday itself, the protraction of internal portfolio sharing between CPN-UML and Maoist Centre delayed the SSFN’s government joining. Yadav had held meetings with PM Oli and Dahal on Monday. “We are holding discussions, talks are moving in positive direction,” he said after the meeting.