Kathmandu, June 30:

Maoist chairman Prachanda and his deputy Dr Baburam Bhattarai today conferred with leaders of Janamorcha Nepal in the capital and agreed that both the parties would take collective initiative to take along the forces committed to democratic republic during an election to a constituent assembly. The Janamorcha Nepal and the Maoists are said to have agreed to go together on common issues.

Janamorcha Nepal general secretary and lawmaker Navaraj Subedi told this daily that both sides shared similar views regarding the issue of democratic republic. Janamorcha Nepal vice-president Kamal Chaudhary, Chitra Bahadur Ale, Subedi and Pari Thapa had attended the meeting with the Maoist leadership.

Subedi said they asked the Maoist leadership to abide by the mutual ceasefire and code of conduct and not to hesitate to publicly apologise for the mistakes they had committed in the past, as it would give a positive message to the general people.

Subedi quoted Prachanda and Bhattarai as saying that they had returned to the negotiating table considering the country’s “objective condition.” “We did not come to the talks table after being defeated in the war and all should review their position keeping in mind the ground reality,” Subedi quoted Prachanda as saying.

Subedi said they also asked the Maoist leadership to review their position and the other political parties would also do the same. He said they would meet in the future.

Prachanda’s clarification

KATHMANDU: Prachanda clarified in an interview to Nepal FM on Friday that what he had said at a press conference after signing the eight-point understanding with the government was targeted at a section “of army officers and not intended at those who are professionals.” — HNS