Four major parties agree to form 'national unity govt'

In what appeared to a major political development, the four big parties - CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) - today agreed to form a national unity government.

The 'breakthrough' came at a meeting of the four parties held at the Maoist parliamentary office in Singha Durbar this afternoon.

According to UML general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal, the four parties have agreed to draft the common minimum programme (CMP) for the unity government that will be led by the Maoists. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Khanal said the alliance of the four parties would last at least until the nation gets a new constitution.

Likewise, NC vice president Ram Chandra Poudel said the Maoist leadership's promise to abide by the past agreements has created an environment of trust.

Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the four parties have agreed to correct their past mistake and form the government on consensus.

At the meeting, UML, NC and MJF opposed the CMP proposed by the Maoists, and later the four parties agreed to prepare the CMP that will reflect the agendas of all the parties joining the government.

Another round of four-party meeting tomorrow will name the members of the CMP drafting committee