Kathmandu, September 26

President Ram Baran Yadav today urged Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to play a proactive role in bringing the agitating forces to the negotiating table.

The president also told Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur to come to the negotiating table.

Both the leaders met the president separately today.

According to the president’s Press Adviser Rajendra Dahal, the head of state told the UCPN-M Chair that the prolonged general strike was making life difficult in the Tarai and therefore he should play a role to bring the government and the agitating forces to the negotiating table.

Dahal’s personal secretary Chudamani Khadka said Dahal told the president that efforts were on to seek a negotiated settlement of the constitutional issues raised by protesting forces.

The president and Dahal also discussed the contemporary political situation in the country.

According to president’s Press Advisor Rajendra Dahal, the head of state told Thakur that the ongoing agitation in Madhes was a political issue and all sides should seek resolution of the issues politically.

Thakur said that he told the president that he should also tell the government and the big three parties to prepare grounds for talks with the protesting Madhesi and Tharu forces.