Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 6:

The Nepali Congress (Democratic) today decided to initiate formal talks with the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) in a bid to give a shape to the government. The decision to this end was taken at the end of the central committee meeting. Those who have been entrusted with the responsibility to pave the way for the formation of the cabinet by taking up the issue with other parties are also expected to take up the issue of the common minimum programme which can be drawn up only after mutual consensus.

The reliable sources also said the party has decided to have as broad an alliance as possible, with all efforts likely to be concentrated on convincing the CPN-UML leadership to join the government as soon as it was possible as the UML was the “largest partner on the street.”

The meeting had taken place in the wake of the protracted delay in the formation of the government with the CPN-UML yet to “open up its cards” on the issue of supporting the government by actually joining the cabinet.