A meeting of the three big parties concluded early today after the Maoists refused to start discussion on any issue until the agreement on calling a regular House session is immediately implemented.

In the meeting, the Maoists demanded clarification from the government regarding talks about putting forth a condition for calling a regular session of the Legislature-Parliament. The Maoists have objected to an understanding between the Nepali Congress and the UML to summon the regular session only after bringing the Maoist combatants under the command of the Special Committee for their supervision, integration and rehabilitation. An understanding had been reached among the parties on 23 December to withdraw the request for a special House session.

But Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal asserted that there were no intentions of putting forth any such condition. He explained that the government has been doing its homework for summoning the regular session of the Legislature-Parliament, adding that it would be better if the parties reach high level understanding before the session is called.

Nepali Congress leader Ram Sharan Mahat said, “We tried to table a proposal for bringing the Maoist fighters in the UN- monitored cantonments under the supervision of the special committee after the exit of the United Nations Mission in Nepal ( UNMIN), but the Maoists turned a deaf ear to our call.”

Among the leaders present in the meeting were the Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala and UML President Jhala Nath Khanal.