PM CONCEDES MTSTAKE MADE IN GOVT.FORMATION TO UML Kathmandu, 7 May:: A meeting of the three major political parties has reached consensus to settle the issue of formation of government in line with the five-point deal signed by parties on May 3, RSS reports. The meeting that took place at the CPN-UML parliamentary party office at Singha Durbar agreed to go on addressing the issues of formation of the government and drafting of the constitution as per the spirit of consensus among parties, said Nepali Congress (NC) Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel. Leader Poudel said the Prime Minister admitted his mistake while expanding the government in the meeting and also pledged to mend his weakness and the NC has also called on the CPN-UML to join the government on this ground. Likewise, the three parties also came close to a point to move ahead together by resolving the disputes surfaced in course of constitution making, said Unified CPN (Maoist) Vice-chairperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha. The three parties agreed to make headway by entirely implementing the consensus and resolve the problems surfaced in the course, he added. In the meeting, the Prime Minister has pledged to move ahead by correcting mistakes after the CPN-UML voiced concern over the PM's autocratic act of sharing Ministries without any consultation with the UML, it is learnt. CPN-UML leader Bhim Bahadur Rawal said the Prime Minister expressed readiness to mend his mistake and expand the government as per the five-point deal. The meeting decided to chart out final draft by resolving the contentious issues of constitution within a couple of days. The meeting also called on all sides waging struggle in support and protest of federalism in different parts of the country to end agitation and come to negotiation table. Mainly, the three-party meeting jointly asked to stop the agitation continued in far-western region. The meeting also urged the concerned sides to not affect normal life and explore resolution to the problem through dialogue. The meeting condemned the police suppression on students at Tri-chandra Campus and expressed commitment to take action against the guilty. Nnnn PUTIN STAGES COMEBACK AS POWERFUL PRESIDENT Kathmandu, 7 May:: Vladimir Putin took the oath of office for a third term as Russia's president on Monday, saying he considers "service to the fatherland and our nation to be the meaning of my life.", AP reports from Moscow. Putin has ruled Russia since 2000, first as president and then during the past four years as prime minister. The new, now six-year term will keep him in power until 2018 with the option of running for a fourth term. Despite unprecedented security measures in the center of Moscow, several thousand opposition activists tried to protest along the route Putin's motorcade took to the Kremlin and were met by helmeted riot police. Dozens of demonstrators have been detained. Putin's inauguration in a brief Kremlin ceremony came a day after an opposition protest drew more than 20,000 people, fewer than the mass demonstrations in the months that preceded his March election but still a sign that the anger over Putin's return to the Kremlin has not faded. Sunday's protest turned violent when some demonstrators tried to march toward the Kremlin and riot police beat back the crowds with batons and detained more than 400 people. The use of force after the winter's peaceful rallies indicate that Putin may take a harder line toward the protesters now that he is once again president. After taking the oath of office with his hand on a red copy of Russia's constitution, Putin stated his commitment to democracy. "We want to live and we will live in a democratic country that will offer opportunities and freedom for everyone's life and labor," he said in a grand Kremlin hall before 3,000 invited guests. nnnn