KATHMANDU: CPN-UML senior leader and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said it is a high time the nation had a national consensus government.

All major parties including Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, UCPN-Maoist and other parties should join the government, he said.

"We should move ahead incorporating all," Nepal said, "Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is skillful in engaging all, I hope he will do this time as well."

Nepal was talking with a team of the Reporters' Club in the Capital on Thursday.

The senior UML leader also criticised the government led by his rival in the party for it failed to keep its promises.

He maintained that the government did something to control black marketing and inflation. However, that was not sufficient and the government should be more committed for these tasks, he added.

Claiming that the ongoing agitation by Madhes-based parties inflicted pain on Madhesi people themselves and created a serious setback for the national economic development, he urged the protesters to shun the agitation and seek solution through talks.

"The Madhesi Front is just like a party," he said, "It should not forget that other parties including Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN-Maoist also understand sentiments of people.

He said demarcation of the federal units should be carved out by considering voices of people living there.

"The demarcation row can be concluded through a political committee," he said, "Or, we can put federalism on hold now."

"The steps toward consensus should begin now."