President Ram Baran Yadav called an all-party meet at Shital Niwas on Sunday, but yet again the parties turned up without any progress on contentious issues.

The President’s spokesperson Rajendra Dahal quoted the President as telling the parties he was ready to support them, provided they agreed on contentious issues first.

The parties told the President that they would agree on forming an electoral government by mid-October, and also formulate the legal and political processes by which to proceed towards the election.

Although the ruling alliance and opposition had agreed on September 19 to head for a fresh mandate, legal and technical problems have not been discussed or agreed upon.