A meeting of seven political parties called by Speaker Onsari Gharti has decided to hold informal meetings of second-rung leaders to resolve the existing political deadlock. Monday’s meeting, however, failed to make any headway with both the ruling and main opposition parties sticking to their stances.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has proposed a package deal if they could not agreed on content of the amendment proposal, bills-related to elections and impeachment motion against suspended CIAA chief Lokman Singh Karki.

During the meeting, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba urged the opposition parties not to obstruct the House to pave the way for timely elections. The election-related bills have been delayed due to the UML, he said.

The opposition parties have been obstructing the House business since the government registered the constitution amendment proposal in the Parliament Secretariat on November 29.

While Chairman of the main opposition CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli was absent in the meeting, party Vice-chairman Bhim Rawal tried to justify party’s stance not to let the amendment proposal be discussed in Parliament. Deputy leader of the UML Parliamentary Party Subas Nembang, however, struck a more conciliatory tone in the meeting, according to NC Chief Whip Chinkaji Shrestha. He said Nembang had proposed informal talks among the second rung leaders for seeking some kind of solution before the top brass discuss on breaking the ongoing political impasse. 

During the meeting, Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Kamal Thapa proposed a mechanism to discuss on the issues of revising the amendment proposal and address the demands of the disgruntled groups before the top leaders finalise them. He urged them to give the proposed mechanism a month to submit its report on all outstanding issues. 

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Maoist Centre Spokesperson Pampha Bhusal claimed that the meeting of the seven parties, with more than 10 seats in Parliament, concluded on a “very positive note” with the parties agreeing on seeking a solution through informal talks.