“I am habituated to finding out understanding from among differences. So, I am confident that this problem will also be resolved through talks.”
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, expressing confidence in resolving the political impasse.
“If republic is declared in a language that people will understand, we will agree for increasing PR component within existing mixed election system. If all agree for fully PR system, then we will agree for passing commitment proposal on republic by the parliament.”
Prachanda, Maoist chairman, talking to reporters, outlining the position of his party.
“The nation will face disaster if election is not held within 2064 BS.”
Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML).
“An understanding could not be reached due to stance of the Nepali Congress.”
Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Maoist leader, in Kantipur.
“Nepali Congress has made a number of compromises. We have now reached the limit of compromise. We can compromise no further. We cannot compromise our principle.”
Sushil Koirala, acting president of NC, addressing an interaction program.
“The Maoists’ demand is only strengthening the royalist and regressive forces.”
Ram Chandra Poudel, vice president of NC, in Tanahun.
“The current problem resulted because parties went into the fold of Maoists.”
Govinda Raj Joshi, senior leader of NC, in Tanahun.
“There is a need to go into agreement with the Maoists from the starting point. Let us first be clear whether the Maoists really want to join the democratic political mainstream.”
KP Oli, former deputy prime minister and senior UML leader, in Kantipur Television.
Transition:
LEFT: Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Foreign Minister, for Washington DC, to attend the annual meeting of the board of governors of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
RETURNED: Sahana Pradhan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, after attending the 62nd UN General Assembly in New York.
ARRIVED: Ellen Sauerbrey, US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, for a visit to Nepal.
ALLOCATED: Quotas for women, Dalits, Madhesis, Janajatis and backward classes, when filling the vacant positions in Nepal Police and Armed Police Force.
CANCELLED: The visit by Denmark’s Foreign Minister
