KATHMANDU: Senior leader of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal on Saturday underlined the need for consensus among the political parties to end the existing political impasse.

Addressing a programme organised by the Freedom Forum and IPI Nepal chapter on Saturday, he urged the Maoists to give up the politics of threat and pressure. Nepal said the Maoists were violating the rights of free press and were interfering in the independence of judiciary which was completely unacceptable.

On the occasion Nepal felicitated Kabita Sharma, reporter of the Butwal based Mukti FM for her courageous work. Sharma who has been threatened several times continues working for the station.

Sharma said that she was recently threatened by some people to quit her job.

Maoist youth wing YCL had vandalised the offices of Mukti FM a few months ago. The FM station is a unique broadcaster with all women staffers including its owner.

Nepal lauded Sharma’s courageous work and urged the journalist to have similar passion for work.