President Bidya Bhandari had invited the top leaders of major political parties for the meeting. Photo: Office of the President

KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari held discussion with the top leaders of major political parties on Nepal's current political situation, and urged them to work together in order to hold elections and implement the Constitution.

It was the top-most duty of the democratic political parties to contribute to constitutional development by respect and protecting the Constitution achieved after a long and arduous struggle, she said.

Referring to the constitution provision, President Bhandari reminded the leaders of ruling coalition and opposition parties that elections in all three tiers -- local, provincial and federal parliament -- needed to be held by January 2018, saying they were not an abrupt responsibility.

"Periodic election is the right of a citizen, and the right should not be infringed," she said.

The President stressed that all political parties should come together to materialise people's aspiration to further consolidate the Federal Democratic Republic by holding all three tiers elections within the statutory date.

"It is definite that the election would make the political parties further vibrant through people's mandate. It will also ensure active participation of new generation in every aspect of the country development. The time has come to fulfill the duty in a more integrated manner. I would like to draw attention of all sides concerned to the shared responsibility of relieving the country from political instability and constitutional crisis", she added.

The President also urged the political parties to remain proactive in the campaign of economic transformation.

Prime Minister and CPN Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, Rastriya Prajatantra Party's Kamal Thapa and Prakash Chandra Lohani, Co-Chairman of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal Rajendra Shrestha, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum Democratic Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadar and Tarai Madesh Democratic Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur among other leaders had attended the meeting called by the Head of the State at her official residence in Sheetal Niwas.

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun was also present on the occasion.

Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and former Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang of CPN-UML, Nepali Congress General Secretary Shashank Koirala and leader Krishna Sitaula, Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara had also accompanied their party leaders.