Kathmandu, June 6 :

The House of Representatives (HoR) is likely to start discussions on the process for an

election to a constituent assembly, as Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was said

to have urged leaders of the seven-party alliance to proceed with the issue at the alliance meeting yesterday.

A close relative of PM Koirala reminded Nepali Congress chief whip, Ananda Prasad Dhungana, about an understanding to revive the HoR only for a week, that too, to discuss the process for an election to a constituent assembly when Koirala and Maoist supremo Prachanda met in November. He also reminded Dhungana, who also attended the alliance meet, how the PM repeatedly urged the alliance leaders to keep the House regulations “pending” and start the process for constituent assembly polls at the meeting.

Sources told this daily that the PM urged the alliance partners to discuss the process for constituent assembly elections after he received a phone call from Prachanda, who reportedly expressed his displeasure over the alliance’s intention to prolong the HoR.

Prachanda is also said to have told the PM that the former had taken the HoR declaration as national and international forces’ ploy to keep the Maoists at bay. He is also learnt to have reportedly told the PM that the resolution of the Parliament to go to constituent assembly poll was nothing more than a ploy to defer the issue.

The source said the political agenda of the PM’s visit to New Delhi would be to get India’s help and goodwill regarding the constituent assembly, which will draft a new constitution and determine the future of monarchy.

A high-level Maoist team has already reached New Delhi to hold talks with the ministers in the Prime Minister’s entourage, who are expected to sort out their differences over the

future of Parliament and the process of constituent assembly.

NC insiders said Prime Minister Koirala is also expected to appeal to his Indian counterpart to get Maoist prisoners in Indian jails released, including Mohan Baidhya and C P Gajurel.