Kathmandu, November 15:

As part of the initiatives to avert a split in the seven-party alliance, leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC) discussed the future political course with leaders of the Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (NWPP) in Bhaktapur today.

“Today’s discussion basically focused on the two proposals on republic and the fully proportional electoral system, which were ratified by the parliament,” NC spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC told this daily. KC added that his party suggested a consensus among all the parties on the issues of the formation of a republic and the adoption of an electoral system during the upcoming session of the parliament, which begins on Monday.

The NWPP leadership, however, reiterated its stance on the formation of a socialist republic and the adoption of a mixed electoral system. “We cannot deviate from our stance,” NWPP leader and lawmaker Sunil Prajapati said. Both the parties reiterated their commitment to maintaining seven-party unity and early CA elections.

NWPP president Narayan Man Bijukchhe basically focused on three issues. “The government and the parliament must function on the basis of consensus, CA elections must be held soon, and the seven parties must remain united to give continuity to the peace process,” Prajapati quoted Bijukchhe as telling the NC leaders during the meeting.

While acting-president of the NC Sushil Koirala, Arjun Narsingh KC, Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Ananda Dhungana, Prakash Man Singh, Mahesh Acharya, Dr Minendra Rijal represented the party in the discussion, NWPP president Narayan Man Bijukchhe, Sunil Prajapati, Prem Suwal and Chaityaraj Shakya represented the NWPP in the meeting.

NC spokesperson KC said his party will also hold discussions on giving a way out to the political impasse with the CPN-UML and the Maoist “before the parliament resumes on Monday.”