Kathmandu, February 27:

The CPN-UML has started fresh consultations with top leaders of the seven agitating parties with a view to taking the ongoing joint movement against autocracy to a new height.

A three-member team led by standing committee member of the CPN (UML) Bharat Mohan Adhikari met Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala and Nepali Congress (Democratic) president Sher Bahadru Deuba at their residences yesterday and discussed the ways to intensify the movement, CPN-UML central committee leader Rajendra Pandey said.

He said they also met today president and vice-president of Janamorcha Nepal Amik Sherchan and Leelamani Pokharel respectively and coordinator of the United Left Front N K Prasain and others. The CPN-UML team met them, as it was the party’s turn to convene the meeting of the top leaders of the seven-party alliance. He expected that the meeting would be convened by Friday.

The CPN-UML team is scheduled to meet leaders of the Nepal Workers and Peasants’ Party and Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi) tomorrow.

Asked to comment on what transpired during their meeting with Koirala and Deuba, Pandey said they agreed that there was no alternative to peaceful movement to restore democracy and peace.

Pandey quoted both the leaders as saying that the unity of the alliance must be further strengthened and the 12-point understanding implemented at the grassroots level.

Pandey said there was no other alternative than the understanding to bring the rebels into political mainstream.