A crucial meeting of Nepal's ruling multi-party alliance ended without an agreement after Maoist chief Prachanda rejected Prime Minister G P Koirala's proposal of a joint commitment to the November Constituent Assembly polls, saying the former rebels needed more time to make a decision on the issue.
The eight-party meet was convened at the Prime Minister's residence at Baluwatar on Saturday evening after a hiatus of more than two months.
However, it remained inconclusive after Maoist Chairman Prachanda rejected Koirala's proposal that the alliance should jointly express commitment to the Constituent Assembly elections slated for November 22.
He said his party needed more time for homework before making any decision on the matter, Nepali Congress central member Arjun Narsingh KC, who also attended the meeting, said.
The leaders, however, decided to meet again on August 23 after doing necessary homework to create an atmosphere for the polls.
During the meeting, the Maoists put forth an 18-point proposal that included declaration of Nepal a republic ahead of the polls, removal of all army personnel from the Royal Palace and adopting proportionate electoral system, KC said.
Urging the alliance to accept their demand of declaring Nepal a republican state before polls, Prachanda, however, said his party has not set any preconditions for the elections.
Prachanda clarified that they will still favour the elections even if other parties do not agree on a republic or proportional electoral system as demanded by them.
During the meeting, Koirala proposed to dissolve the House of Representatives and hold the eight-party alliance's joint gathering in the capital to express commitment to go to the polls, KC said.
Rajendra Mahato, leader of Nepal Sadbhavana Party-Anandidevi and Minister for Industry and Commerce, urged the government to expedite the dialogue with all
agitating groups, including the Madhesi ethnic organisations demanding more rights.
