PM REITERATES HE’LL CONINUE WITHOUT CONSENSUS Kathmandu, 30 June: Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has said that he would not be an obstacle if the political parties forged consensus to end the current political transition, RSS reports. Talking to journalists at his official residence, Baluwatar, on Saturday, the Prime Minister refused to resign from the post only on the basis of the demand of his resignation by parties. Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai said none should be obstacle if the political consensus among the parties was forged, adding he had no desire to clinging to the post of prime minister. He said, "It is not logical just to seek resignation from the street claiming the political parties do not seem ready to enable environment for consensus and understanding through dialogue. The political understanding is the key to resolve the current political transition." Dr Bhattarai further claimed the best alternative to resolve the current political impasse was to go for fresh Constituent Assembly (CA) election announced by the government for November 7 and stressed the political parties need to be united for this. Stating that there was no alternative to peace, constitution and democracy, the Prime Minister made it clear that he and his party was ready to go for any option if political parties came up with common understanding. Asked whether the dissolved Constituent Assembly (CA) could be revived, Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai replied, 'CA could also be reinstated if consensus was forged among parties. But, prior to this, all should come to a point to federate the country based on identity and make the people empowered.' Informing journalists that the government is making preparation to hold elections, he further underscored the need of consensus among the political parties for this. 'The CA was not dissolved by any party or the government rather it lost its life automatically. So, it does not hold any meaning to blame one another'. He clarified that he has emphasized to go for elections to the CA rather than its reinstatement. The incumbent government is not that of the caretaker status but the one with full authority to hold the elections, he argued. The Prime Minister claimed that the present government would bring full-fledged budget as the incomplete budget could not address the country's needs and people's aspirations. The government and Unified CPN (Maoist) have floated no plan to send ex-Maoist fighters to voluntary retirement, he noted, adding that all the processes would expedite on the basis of consensus. 'The Public Service Commission has put forward the process of army integration. The government would also take it ahead. Letting ex-combatants go for voluntary retirement is meaningless. It is not true'. He also made it clear that there was no misunderstanding between the President and him. nnnn