KATHMANDU: Defence Minister and CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwar Pokhrel stated that the unity with CPN-Maoist Centre will be materialised soon based on just respect and equality and not in terms of percentage.

Speaking at a function held to hand over portfolio to the newly elected leadership of General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Minister Pokhrel said the leaders of both parties cannot escape from the unity as it is testing times with regards to enforcement of commitments made to the people regarding the same. "But it is the wish and need of the nation and people, hence we will fulfill it with responsibility and sensitivity," he added.

On a different note, he said the government will be presenting its policy and programme, and budget based on the common manifesto introduced by the communist alliance during the election.