Kathmandu, October 5:

The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and the Maoists will announce their common agenda and decisions in the upcoming summit talks, CPN-UML leader Jhalanath Khanal said today.

Following an agreement with the Maoists, a timetable to achieve a common agenda and goals is likely to be announced, he said.

“Agreements between eight political parties will be announced during the summit talks on October 8,” said Khanal. Similarly, a timetable specifying the deadlines within which the agendas such as the formation of an interim constitution and an interim government could be announced on the same day, he said. Issues pertaining to the interim constitution must be settled during the summit talks between the SPA and the Maoists, Khanal told a programme organised by the Reporters Club in the capital.

The SPA, according to him, has struck many agreements and it will now go for a common agenda.

Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsingh KC said the SPA is still debating over the interim constitution and the fate of monarchy. “We haven’t reached any conclusion regarding monarchy and the interim constitution,” he said.

Nepali Congress has yet to reach a conclusion on the ceremonial monarchy, he said, pointing out that NC leaders’ views on the issue are purely personal and do not reflect the party’s stance. “As of now, NC is neither for ceremonial monarchy nor a republic, the election to the Constituent Assembly will decide the country’s future,” he said.

However, Maoist leader Khadga Bishwokarma, alias Prakanda, expressed serious concern over the delay of negotiations. “We are more than willing to resolve the problems and make the negotiations a success, but we are very concerned over the delay on the government’s part,” he said. “Our party will decide on the future course of action depending on the outcome of the summit talks,” he said.