KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal's efforts to give final shape to the cabinet did not materialise on Tuesday as well, after weeks of the formation of the new government. Nepal, along with other leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal-UML, today held separate talks with the leaders of Nepali Congress and Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, at his official residence in Baluwatar. But the talks failed to reach any conclusion. The UML's team held talks with the Nepali Congress leaders Bimalendra Nidhi and Krishna Prasad Sitaula. But the talks could not succeed as both the parties stuck to their claims for Home, Finance, Information and Communications, Water Resources and Local Development ministries. Along with Nepal, standing committee member Khadga Prasad Oli, Shankar Pokharel and Raghuji Panta were present in the talks. NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula said, 'We will finalise the allocation of ministries after having consultations with fringe parties.' The meeting of the party leading the government with the TMDP leaders also failed to make any breakthrough. During the meeting, the TMDP leaders demanded that the UML allocate three ministers and three state ministers for the party.

House put off

KATHMANDU: The CA meeting could not be held on Tuesday as well and was put off until Thursday. A source at the parliament, however, claimed that the talks with the UCPN-Maoist about letting the House function were heading in the right direction. The UCPN-M has been disrupting the activities of the House, demanding a debate on Sankalpa Prastav (Resolution Motion), filed against the President's move to reinstate army chief Katawal. — HNS