The leaders have asked Gachhadar to ensure that party’s position on federalism, forms of government and electoral system is implemented during the cross-party talks. Gachhadar had floated the idea of settling for six to nine states whose demarcation could be settled later, and on other issues, if agreed could be sent to the Drafting Committee. His position was similar to the one proposed by the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN-UML.

“The idea to leave the demarcation for later part was wrong. So we have told him that party’s position should be well articulated. If there is no agreement on federalism, then there should not be an agreement on forms of government too,” said Jitendra Dev, general secretary of the party.

On forms of government, Gachhadar had suggested that the disagreeing parties could write a note of dissent, something argued by the UCPN (Maoist) who leads the opposition coalition that includes the MJF-L. However, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal did not agree to the proposal.

 The suggestion from the party leader comes at a time when the Maoist-led alliance has refused to sit for talks with the NC and UML, demanding that they should first create the environment for consensus, instead of pressing for voting on disputed issues.

In fact, Gachhadar on Wednesday reiterated the position to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala who telephoned the latter as part of the ruling alliance to reach out with the opposition front.