The Maoists have decided to again discuss the reshuffle of the Council of Ministers with the UML. A Politburo meeting of the Maoist party held at the party headquarters in Parisdanda on Wednesday made this decision.

Maoist Spokesman Dinanath Sharma said that though the ultimatum given to the Prime Minister to induct the new Maoist team in the Cabinet has expired, the two parties will hold discussions as the Prime Minister demanded more time. “The Politburo decided to hold talks with UML to form a consensus government and reconstitute the Cabinet,” Sharma said.

Earlier, the Maoist party had warned that it could withdraw its support to the government if the Prime Minister didn’t bring on board the party’s new team in the government.

Concerned over the Maoist decision to reshuffle the Cabinet, the Nepali Congress has been demanding resignation of the Prime and even obstructed Tuesday’s house session.

Talks between the Maoists and the UML had ended inconclusively on Tuesday.

Stating that the proposal (of reconstituting the cabinet) aimed at making the Council of Ministers inclusive and proportionate, Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha argues that it would have no effect on the five-point agreement.

However, UML leader KP Oli said that the move to change ministers without political consensus will violate the five-point agreement. “Focus should be on forming a consensus government, not new ministers.”