Kathmandu, December 20:

Leaders of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-Maoist were at loggerheads today over the text to be used while amending Article 159 of the interim constitution and the Maoist proposal for roundtable conference to decide on the electoral system, which is almost agreed upon

by a task force of the seven-party alliance.

Sources said Maoist chairman Prachanda, his deputy Dr Baburam Bhattarai and NC leaders Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Dr Shekhar Koirala today met at Prachanda’s residence at Naya Bazaar to thrash out their differences, but the meeting failed to reach any agreement.

NC has been saying that a roundtable conference would create more complication than a solution to the problem.

The task force had, in principle, agreed to declare the country a republic subject to its endorsement by the first meeting of constituent assembly.

Dr Bhattarai on Wednesday told this daily that they were yet to reach an understanding on the language to be used while amending the Article 159.

The Article 159 states that a) no power regarding the governance of the country shall be vested on the King, b) the PM shall perform all functions pertaining to the governance and operation of the country and, c) notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this constitution, the simple majority of the first meeting of Constituent Assembly shall take a decision on monarchy.