Kathmandu, June 22:

British Minister for International Development Shahid Malik said today all parties should work together to form a new government based on consensus.

Addressing a press conference organised here, the British minister, before wrapping up his three-day Nepal visit today, said political leaders should believe that the best way to move ahead is through consensus.

“It is now equally important that the CPN-Maoist, who became the largest party after the CA polls, should lead to form an inclusive government as expected by the people.”

He said talks with CPN-UML general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal regarding the formation of an inclusive and transparent government as expected by the people were fruitful.

“Nepal at present needs to improve on security and development fronts. The vacuum of governance should be addressed urgently. Providing security to all people means they can eke out their living without any hindrance. The government should create investment-friendly climate, flourish businesses and create more jobs.”

“People voted for change. Now it is the responsibility of leaders to meet the people’s aspirations, which will be fulfiled only after the formation of government.”

Stating that peace and prosperity go together, he said, “The donors and international community were ready to help the government achieve prosperity.”

He stressed the need to link the rural Nepal with roads to develop the backward areas.

Earlier in the morning Malik met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s residence at Baluwatar.

“During the meeting, Malik asked the PM when the next government would be formed and what it will be like,” PM’s foreign affairs advisor Aditya Baral said.

“The PM told Malik as soon as contentious issues are resolved, the next government will be formed,” Baral informed.

The British minister assured the PM of an assistance of around Rs 4 billion for infrastructure development, particularly the road connectivity projects, to be spent in the next four years.

The PM requested him to build more belly bridges in rural areas.

Malik also told the PM that the British government would be encouraged to provide Nepal with more assistance in future if the country attained political stability and embark on the path of rapid development.

Also today, Malik met Upendra Yadav, chairman of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and discussed the issues of bilateral co-operation and current political issues. “Malik expressed his concern about the political deadlock,” Yadav said.

Yadav said he told Malik his party was in favour of resolving the deadlock on the basis of consensus among the major parties.

Malik expressed concern about the problem that Madhesis were facing. The UK stands for ending discrimination against marginalised people soon, according to Yadav. “For the first time, I saw a European minister expressing concern about the problems of Madhesis,” Yadav said.