UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday said that the ruling parties have started the process to form a cross-party mechanism to settle disputes on demarcation of the federal units.

Prior to the first amendment to the constitution on January 23, the major and Madhes-based parties had made substantive progress on “a package deal”, which meant among other things formation of a cross-party body to settle the boundary row.

“I was not convinced that only constitution amendment would lead to opening of border points,” Dahal said. “Now we need to find a compromise on that mechanism too.”

 A meeting of the High-level Political Committee (HLPC) on Sunday night had decided to form such a committee to address the demands of the agitating Madhes-based parties. There are disputes between the three major parties and the Madhes-based parties regarding the terms of reference of the committee. The three parties have expressed their readiness to provide parliamentary legitimacy to the committee while Madhes-based parties have been demanding that the provision of such a political committee should be added as a scheduled in the constitution.

Claiming that there has been progress in the supply of essentials from India, Dahal expressed confidence that the blockade will be lifted once the mechanism is formed. On Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming India visit, Dahal, who coordinates the HLPC, said it would be better if he goes to India after the situation normalises at home.

The HLPC has directed PM Oli to make national interest priority during his visit to India. Dahal also called for a national unity government immediately after the Nepali Congress (NC) completes its general convention which will be held in March.

Dahal said that he was open a change in government leadership, if the NC finds it inconvenient to join the government under the leadership of PM Oli. Dismissing speculations about his own prime ministerial ambitions, Dahal said the NC could also lead a national unity government.