The seven political parties have agreed to change the dates for the Constituent Assembly in the interim parliament. However, despite the month-long effort to set a date for the elections within this year, the parties have failed to come to a conclusion on the various issues.

The meeting, held yesterday decided to increase the number of seats for the Constituent Assembly elections. According to the agreement, 335 members will be elected from the proportional system while there will be 240 elected and 26 nominated members in the Constituent Assembly. The seven parties are expected to discuss and resolve the problem regarding the procedures for the Constituent Assembly elections in a meeting on 16 December.

In another meeting held on December 15, the Maoists have come to a conclusion that a round table conference is the only solution to a proportional procedure. C P Gajurel, a Maoist leader, said that the Maoists wanted a common platform on which madhesis, indigenous people, women and the dalits could put forward their views on the Constituent Assembly because it gives direction to the constitution. After all, no constitution will be acceptable unless it is representative. Gajurel added that the Maoists would agree to any decision that the round table conference comes up with as the decision would represent their voices as well.

Responding to the Maoists' new demand for a round table conference, Shekhar Koirala of the NC said that a round table conference would have no meaning in a country that has a parliament. He also added that the Maoists were fearful of losing the elections and that if the Maoists were to continue their charade, there would be no elections.

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