Last-minute efforts by parties to strike a deal

As the special session of the parliament appears headed towards voting to decide on the Maoists' proposal for republic and proportional representation election system, the major parties are making last-minute efforts to avert the divisive polling by striking a deal.

The leaders of Nepali Congress (NC), Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), Masal and People's Front are planning to hold consultations on Friday morning.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is likely to meet with top leaders of other parties, according to Baluwatar sources. Likewise, UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal is preparing to meet with Masal leader Prakash.

The parliament session is scheduled to start from 11 am. Since the MPs have already completed making their speeches, the government is likely to respond to their queries at the House on Friday following which the parliament will hold a voting.

According to Speaker Subas Nemwang, if things come to voting, he would like to settle it through 'voice vote.'

On Thursday evening, Maoist chairman Prachanda had said that the current deadlock will be ended either through agreement or through voting on Friday. nepalnews.com sd Nov 02 07

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