Kathmandu, May 20:

CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda and CPN-UML general secretary Jhalanath Khanal held discussions here today in an effort to forge consensus.

In today’s dialogue held at UML party headquarters, Balkhu, the leaders discussed the issues of the execution of republican agenda, government formation, amendment to constitution and Maoists’ excesses, including the killing of Ramhari Shrestha in Maoist barrack.

Khanal said he demanded Prachanda to immediately stop all kinds of Maoist atrocities against civilians and the political opponents.

“I told him to take the killing of Ramhari Shrestha seriously and constitute a probe committee to punish the culprits ,” he said.

Khanal added that he urged Prachanda to take initiative to forge consensus among the parties by agreeing to amend the interim constitution.

“I told him to quit the post of Supreme Commander of the People’s Liberation Army and address the issue of army integration. Prachanda said he would consider about those issues,” Khanal said. On a query about Prachanda’s response to the issues discussed today, Khanal said” “He seems to have been a bit flexible than before. We can hope for breaking the political deadlock but cannot be very sure.”

Prachanda and Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara could not be reached for comment.