Kathmandu, January 5:

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ today met President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala separately and tried to assure them of clearing the present political stalemate at the earliest.

President Yadav expressed concern with the PM on Nepal Army recruitment issue, appointment of new priests in Pashupatinath temple and the defiance of the Supreme Court order and disturbances created in the smooth functioning of industries because of labour strikes, according to the President’s press advisor Rajendra Dahal.

“President Yadav urged the PM to be focussed on the constitution writing. In response, PM Dahal assured the president that he would logically resolve the problems and clear the political stalemate,” Dahal said.

NC president Koirala suggested PM Dahal to make consultation while taking decision on the issues of public and national importance. He also suggested the PM not to make decision on ad hoc basis.

PM Dahal requested Koirala to forge a new understanding between the CPN-Maoist and the NC to improve the inter-party relations. In response, Koirala suggested the PM to resolve issues regarding priests’ appointment in Pashupatinath, new recruitment issue in Nepal Army and stalemate of the legislature-parliament.

“We need not sign any new agreement if you implement the recent agreement made with the NC and other past agreements,” NC leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat quoted Koirala as saying to the Prime Minister. Koirala also advised PM not to create trouble by making controversial activities and repeat mistakes, Dr Mahat said.

“Koirala showed concern over the contentious issues including Pashupatinath, Nepal Army and the appointment of chairpersons of Constituent Assembly (CA) committees. He said the government would respect the apex court decision and resolve the problems in a logical way.