he meeting called by Speaker Subash Chandra Nemwang at his office did not even last for an hour as Maoist vice chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said his party was in favour of forming a consensus government before finalising the timeframe for drafting the statute.

Shrestha made it clear that it would not be wise to adopt the timeframe before installing a new government. He also said the government would have a role in both the constitution writing time frame, and the peace process and and forming the truth and reconciliation commission.

“Parties have no alternative to forming a consensus government under Maoist leadership to ensure that the new constitution is drafted in time,” Shrestha told media persons after the meeting.

UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal and NC vice president and parliamentary party leader, Ram Chandra Poudel, were also present in the meeting.

The next tripartite meeting on formation of a new government is expected to take place in the afternoon. nepalnews.com