National parties meeting again tomorrow to break parliament impasse

The all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today discussed several options for removing the deadlock in the parliament. However, it could not reach agreement and the meeting has been postponed for tomorrow, Monday. The PM had convened the meeting to discuss on various topics including removing the parliamentary deadlock.

In the meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today, the ruling side had urged for creating an environment for discussion by immediately removing the obstruction in the parliament.

The main opposition party, CPN (UML), however reiterated its call for forming a high-level investigation committee to probe the gold smuggling scam.

The meeting had the participation of the top leaders of the nationally-recognized parties. Prime Minister Dahal on the occasion urged the opposition parties to have faith in the investigation being carried out by Nepal Police and it would not be in favour of the country and the people obstructing the parliament over this issue.

Following the meeting, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) president Rabi Lamichhane said although serious discussions were held in the meeting regarding resuming the parliament's business by removing the obstruction in parliament, it could not reach to a conclusion.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha had also asked the parties to have confidence in the investigation being conducted by Nepal Police.

According to Lamichhane, the RSP president, serious deliberations were held in the meeting today focusing on the agenda and expressed the belief that consensus could be probably reached in Monday's meeting.

He added that they put forth the view in favour of immediately resuming the parliament's meetings as various important bills of national importance could not be discussed and the lawmakers also could not put their opinions on several problems seen in the country due to the continued obstruction of parliament.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister was of the view that one and all were expected to support and coordinate in the actions of the State bodies and no another committee was urgently required to deal with the matter.

Similarly, UML Parliamentary Party chief whip, Padam Giri, said the party's demand for forming a high-level committee to investigate the gold scam was as it is. He indicated that though the party was open to clear off the obstructions in the House, it was not likely to welcome House agenda to be presented by the government.

 The House of Representatives (HoR) session scheduled for today was postponed as the political parties failed to forge a consensus towards that end.

 Giri said the party demanded that all those no matter they belonged to the party connected with the scam should be brought under investigation.

Prime Minister Prachanda, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Shrestha, CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Hitraj Pandey, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka were present in the meeting on behalf of the ruling alliance.

Likewise, CPN (UML) Vice Chair Subash Nembang, Rastriya Swatantra Party President Lamichhane and chief whip Santosh Pariyar, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chair Rajendra Lingden represented the opposition line in the meeting.

The Department of Revenue Investigation on July 19 confiscated the gold that was passed through the country via Tribhuvan International Airport. It was seized from local Sinamangal. The Party has been obstructing the House since July 26 demanding the formation of high body to investigate the matter.

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