The governing parties have sought a week to address the demands of the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, which applied on Friday at the Election Commission (EC) for party registration.

The RJP-N’s move to register with the EC is a step towards its participation in the third phase of local elections to be held on September 18 in Province 2. The RJP-N did not participate in the first phase local polls on May 14 and boycotted the second round on June 28, saying the government had not addressed their demands including constitution amendment.

During a meeting with RJP-N leaders who had reached Baluwatar after applying for party registration at the EC, top leaders, including Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, are learnt to have conveyed that “all political efforts will be made” to address the party’s demands at the earliest.

Friday’s was the first meeting between the governing parties and the RJP-N since the second phase of polls. A revised constitution amendment bill is in Parliament but no progress has been made so far even a month after the formation of the new government under Deuba.

According to leaders of the governing parties, the RJP-N’s tone during Friday’s meeting was comparatively “softer”.

The RJP-N leaders are learnt to have told the governing parties that they wanted the government to create “some kind of political outlet” in order for them to go to their constituencies for the polls.

They have also called on the governing parties not to delay in holding political dialogue to ensure that their demands are addressed at the earliest, as they also “need to do a lot of preparations for the polls”. RJP-N’s other demands include increasing the number of local units in Province 2, withdrawing cases against those who were booked during Tharuhat and Madhes movements, declaring those killed during the protests martyrs and compensation to those who were injured.

“In order to secure a two-thirds majority, PM Deuba and Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal are holding talks with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party on Saturday morning,” said senior NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi. “They will hold talks with the UML on Sunday.”

The UML has hinted that it could support a new constitution amendment bill if the current one that is in Parliament is withdrawn.

“Deuba and Dahal told us that the governing alliance would work to address our demands in a week,” said Rajendra Mahato of the RJP-N. “Talks were positive, but we want action. We reiterated our position,” added Mahato, referring to the party’s earlier stance that it would not participate in September 18 polls unless its demands are met.