KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 21

For the first time since the formation of the current government, Prime Minister Sushila Karki and Cabinet members held discussions with major political parties in an effort to create a conducive political environment for the upcoming March 5 election.

The meeting was convened with representatives of political parties that were represented in the recently dissolved House of Representatives (HoR).

According to Prime Minister Karki's Press Coordinator, Ram Bahadur Rawal, prominent leaders from various political parties attended the meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar.

Participants included Gagan Kumar Thapa and Prakash Sharan Mahat from the Nepali Congress; Shankar Pokharel and Pradip Gyawali from the CPN-UML; Barsha Man Pun and Pampha Bhusal from the CPN (Maoist Centre); Swarnim Wagle and Sobhita Gautam from the Rastriya Swatantra Party; Rajendra Pandey and Prakash Jwala from the CPN (Unified Socialist); Rajendra Gurung and Mohan Shrestha from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party; and Upendra Yadav and Prakash Adhikari from the Janata Samajbadi Party, among others.

From the government's side, attendees included Prime Minister Karki, Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal, Energy Minister Kulman Ghising, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Minister for Agriculture Dr. Madan Pariyar, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Kagadish Kharel, and the Prime Minister's Chief Advisor, Ajay Bhadra Khanal.

(With inputs from Rastriya Samchar Samiti)