Deal made on federalism, forms of governance; UML to join govt

KATHMANDU, MAY 15: 

The major political forces on Tuesday forged an agreement on several contentious issues including federalism and forms of governance.

Along with the agreement to build up 11 federal states and forms of governance with the system of electing the president directly and the prime minister from the parliament, the third largest party CPN-UML has showed readiness to join the Baburam Bhattarai-led unity government.

The CPN-UML is sending General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel and leader Radha Gyawali to represent the party in the government.

According to the understanding, the president will be the head of the state, and the parliament's supremacy will be maintained. The federal parliament will have 371 members.

The top leaders of UCPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front held a meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar to make the deal.

Also, the parties agreed upon provisioning a federal commission and entrust it with the rights to give names to and fix the boundaries of 11 Pradheses. 

Emerging from the meeting, United DemocratiC Madhesi Front leader Bijay Kumar Gachhadar told the media that there was no difference over the deal.

Source: THT