Kathmandu, February 28

Talks between left alliance leaders and the Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal on the latter’s participation in the government ended inconclusively today.

The FSF-N has sought the CPN-UML and CPN-MC’s commitment to amend the constitution for its lawmakers to join the government.

CPN-MC’s Narayankaji Shrestha, UML’s Subas Chandra Nembang and FSF-N’s Rajendra Shrestha, who attended the meeting, said the talks ended on a positive note. Leaders from both sides were, however, tight-lipped on what they agreed today and what they were yet to agree on.

Nembang said both sides would again sit for talks at 9:00am tomorrow to seal a deal. “I am confident that a deal will be reached tomorrow,” Nembang added. When asked what were the stances of left alliance leaders on the FSF-N’s demand seeking amendment of Article 274, which stipulates that revision of provincial boundaries can happen only with the endorsement of two-thirds majority of both houses of the Parliament and majority of the provincial assemblies, besides the provincial assembly concerned, Nembang said their talks did not focus on any particular article of the constitution.

Narayankaji Sherstha said leaders decided to hold a meeting tomorrow because the issues demanded more discussion. “As far as the FSF-N’s demand of amending the constitution is concerned, we have always said that the constitution can be amended on the basis of necessity and rationale,” he added.

FSF-N leader Rajendra Shrestha said both sides would discuss the issues in their respective parties before sitting for talks tomorrow. He added that he was confident that they would reach a deal tomorrow.

PM KP Sharma Oli, CPN-MC Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal and FSF-N Chair Upendra Yadav attended the meeting.