DETAILS OF THREE PARTY MADESH MORCHA DISCUSSIONS Kathmandu, 4 June : A meeting of the High-Level Political Committee (HLPC) held today with a view to seeking consensus on the disputed issues relating to the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections failed to agree on major issues, RSS reports. However, three major parties are learnt to have reached close to consensus on a 491-member CA as per the agreement reached earlier. The meeting that took place at New Baneshwor could not reach an agreement on the threshold of votes that any political party requires for getting proportional representation in the CA and the matters whether allowing those convicted of criminal charges to contend in the election. Talking to media persons following the meeting, CPN ( UML) Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said the meeting was heading positively. We have almost agreed on the 491-number CA, expressing his hope that the remaining issues will be settled by the next meeting. Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala said although the meeting failed to reach to an agreement on the issues of threshold and criminal charges, the party was firm on its previous stance for the adoption of threshold system. Likewise, coordinator of the United Democratic Madhesi Front Bijay Gachchhadar said that they were near to consensus on the contentious issues and the next meeting will finalise them. Similarly, CPN (UML) leader Bhim Rawal said the meeting discussed about the disputed issues and all were univocal on downsizing the CA. Prior to this, a taskforce constituted by the Committee presented its feedbacks about the election at the joint meeting. The taskforce suggested the major political forces to deal with the disputed matters on the basis of the 11-point agreement and 25-point ordinance. However, the task force has suggested that threshold and criminal charge issue be resolved by the top leaders themselves. CPN (UML) leader and taskforce member Raghuji Pant said the top leaders were apprised of the taskforce work progress on the disputed matters. The Congress and UML are in one side regarding the disputed issues whereas the UCPN (Maoist) and UDMF are in next line, thereby leading to delay in announcing the election date. The government has already held discussions with the major and fringe political parties about the announcement of the election date, but the election-related ordinance is yet to be issued. RSS CHAIRMAN REGMI SAYS CONSENSUS DELAY OBSTACLE TO ELECTION DATE ANNOUNCEMENT Kathmandu, June 3: Chairman of the Interim Election Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi Monday said the announcement of Constituent Assembly (CA) election was delayed as the political parties were yet to forge consensus on a few contentious issues, The Rising Nepal writes.. Receiving a 9-point memorandum handed over to him by the Young Communist League (YCL) demanding an early announcement of election date here, Regmi assured that the government would fix the CA polls date soon after the political parties reached a consensus, according to the YCL. Talking to journalists after handing over the memorandum to Regmi, YCL chairman Ganesh Man Pun said that Chairman Regmi expressed his commitment to hold the CA election within November. “Chairman Regmi said that the government was ready to hold election within the stipulated time,” reiterated Pun, and added that the YCL along with all Nepali people wanted timely CA election in the country. He said that further delay in holding CA election would push the country into further uncertainty. Stating that the people were losing faith in the government and the political parties for their failure to promulgate the new constitution from the previous CA and the delay in announcing election date in the later case, Pun said that the League had drawn attention of the government to immediately fix the date to provide clear direction to the country. The YCL’s 9-point memorandum demanded proportionate representation of indigenous, janajatis, dalits, Madhesi and women, participation of youths in the CA, continuity to the same regulations of previous CA election in the upcoming one, introduction of youth-friendly budget, corruption control and law and order in the country among others issues. Replying to a query of journalists whether YCL was active again, Pun said that the League was active for the representation of youths and for peace and constitution. Nnnn HELP GOVT. CONDUCT POLLS SAYS NC’S PAUDEL Nepali Congress vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel on Monday said that the political parties should help the government to hold Constituent Assembly (CA) election, The Rising Nepal writes from Deukhuri. Speaking at NC workers meeting in Bhaluwang of Dang organized by the party Dang constituency no 2, Poudel said that the main players in the government were the four parites that helped form the government. “We formed Regmi led government. We will help this government to hold election” he said. The NC leader said that chairman Regmi would resume with chief justice post after holding election. “There is no doubt that Regmi will go back to the apex court holding election” he said. Poudel claimed that NC president Sushil Koirala's statement on Regmi was provocated by the media as he just put his inquiry. He claimed election to CA would be held by third week of November and that of the local bodies three months after that. In another context, Poudel said his party will not form any alliance for election. “The NC is able to contest election alone” he underlined. He directed to the party workers to mobilize for election as NC should secure majority to write constitution. NNNN