National consensus needs work. We need to gather in a legitimate parliament, and this is why we have been stressing it. That demand is not for state power, parliament is the place where the king is present and so are the representatives of the people. It is a place where we can meet, talk and create an environment for consensus. It is a parliament that will prepare an agenda to try and bring the Maoists into the mainstream. Parliament can bring together all the forces in the country that have remained divided so far. That the parliament is a springboard for the parties to climb the power saddle and to pocket money is distortion. Those who claim that nothing happened in the last 12 years are out of their minds. The consciousness in the people, revolution in media, activities of non-government organisations, construction of infrastructures like roads, irrigation, hydropower and the establishment of universities and technical institutes, these are the achievements of the parliamentary system. It is true that we parties remained divided, but we need to look forward now. The Maoists said they would not speak to an illegitimate government. It is only the parliament that can form a legitimate government capable of holding a round table conference to bring the Maoists in. Our constitution has clearly stated that the government must remain accountable to parliament. By blaming the parties and suspending democratic rights, one will only close the doors for peace. It is for peace that the seven parties have kept the option of a constituent assembly open. At a time when new elections cannot take place, parliament has to be reinstated. Even parties that opposed the idea are now all for it.