Two major political parties in Parliament—the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML—have decided to seek consensus with the agitating Samyuktya Loktanrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) until the final hour.

Top leaders of the NC and the UML have decided to seek a common position before the Constitution Amendment Bill, which was tabled on December 15, is put to vote in Parliament on Saturday in order to address the Morcha’s demands.

 The taskforce of three parties—NC, UML and UCPN (Maoist)—formed to iron out differences with the Morcha will sit for talks again on Saturday. Three major parties have also called a meeting on Saturday morning.

According to an NC leader, the NC, UML meeting on Friday discussed possible ramifications and political fallout of endorsing the amendment bill without a deal with the Morcha.

“We have not given up hope. We will sit with Morcha again and try to find a common ground,” said Deputy Prime Minister Bhim Rawal, who is also a member of the taskforce from the UML, after the meeting.

“Some of the valid demands of the Morcha will be addressed through the amendments that have been registered,” said a source present at the meeting.

In the meeting, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said, “If possible, let’s try to forge consensus with the Morcha, or else let’s endorse the bill tabled by the government.”

But Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala said the Morcha will refuse to own the bill tabled by the government so “we need to change the language in the spirit of agitating parties’ concerns”.