KATHMANDU: The meeting between United Democratic Madhesi Front and major ruling parties -- Nepali Congress and UCPN Maoist Centre -- on Sunday evening failed to make any headway against their differences over the announcement of civic election dates.

In the meeting, the UDMF leaders stuck to their stance against the government's preparations to announce the local polls prior to an amendment to the Constitution as per their demand. The UDMF warned of agitation if the government unilaterally announced the poll dates.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal informed the UDMF leaders that the government was making final preparations for the announcement of poll dates. Earlier, the ruling parties had agreed to announce the poll dates tomorrow despite the UDMF's reservation.

Saying the government was working out to increase the number of local units in Madhes region considering the population density, the PM told the UDMF that the government would advance the proposal to amend Constitution as the Parliament resumes on Tuesday while urging them to come to the elections, according to the PM's Secretariat.

According to a statement issued by the PM's Secretariat, the UDMF had made it clear that it was more concerned about the revision of provincial boundaries and asked the PM to announce the poll dates after the proposed amendment to Constitution was reached to a conclusion.

The meeting openly held positive discussions on issues including process of Constitution amendment, the government's role in it, revision of number of local units, significance of civic polls and the government's preparations for polls, the statement quoted the PM's chief political advisor, Chakrapani Khanal as saying.

(Updated at 9:55 pm)

Major ruling parties hold meeting with UDMF leaders

KATHMANDU: Ruling parties -- UCPN Maoist Centre and Nepali Congress -- are holding a meeting with the United Democratic Madhesi Front at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar on Sunday evening.

According to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's secretariat, the discussion dwells on the announcement of local elections and Constitution amendment.

In the meeting, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is accompanied by Narayan Kaji Shrestha of his party UCPN Maoist Centre, while Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba is accomapanied by DPM Bimalendra Nidhi of his party.

Mahantha Thakur, Rajenra Mahato, Mahendra Raya Yadav and Rajendra Shrestha are among the leaders representing their respective constituent parties of the UDMF.

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