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CPN-UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula has said that the current session will end only after the endorsement of the TRC bill.

A meeting of the taskforce formed to iron out differences on the TRC bill forged consensus on four dispute issues on Thursday, Bartaula informed.

He said that all the victims of transitional justice cases will get justice and the culprits will be brought to book.

The UML leader said that the murder committed intentionally or arbitrarily will be described as murder.

He claimed that the taskforce forged consensus on the disagreed issues and there has been 100 percent agreement from the meeting.

Bartaula said that report will be submitted to Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal tomorrow or the day after.

He said that the bill will be endorsed by the current session of the Parliament.

Three major political parties have reached an agreement on concluding the transitional justice process.

A meeting of the taskforce held in Singha Durbar on Thursday forged an agreement on four disputed points, Deputy General Secretary of the CPN (Maoist Center) Janardan Sharma informed.

He said that the agreement reached in the taskforce of three parties so far and the draft prepared by the taskforce till Monday will be handed over to the senior leaders.

Similarly, CPN-UML Chie Whip Mahesh Bartaula said that an agreement has been reached on complex issues such as human rights violations.

He said that the agreement reached in the taskforce will be handed over to the senior leaders and will be submitted to the parliamentary committee. Later, the bill will be tabled in the Parliament.

Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak, UML Chief Whip Bartaula and Maoist Center Deputy General Secretary Sharma were in the taskforce.

Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has announced not to organize the party meetings at the prime minister's official residence.

Taking to Facebook, PM Oli said the party meetings will not be conducted at his official residence until his health permits. The PM stated that the decision was in line with the suggestions given by the general public through their social networking sites. The PM has also expected such suggestions in the future as well.

"Our party's secretariat meeting is taking place today. The meeting is being convened in another place as the meeting could not be held at the party office due to inundation following the flood in the Manohara river. Continue offering me feedback like this. Thank You!" he said. 

Meanwhile, the UML's secretariat meeting is starting at 11 am today. Party's Publicity Department Chief Rajendra Gautam said central leaders' responsibility will be discussed along with the contemporary political issues.

Since 2017, the CPN (Maoist Center) has been securing its political standing through alliances with either the Nepali Congress (NC) or the CPN-UML. In the 2017 elections, an alliance with the UML helped the party win 53 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives (HoR). By 2022, an electoral partnership with the NC resulted in 32 seats.

With neither the NC nor UML securing a clear majority, the Maoist Center, as the third largest party, enjoyed the role of a kingmaker. It used this privileged position to its advantage and, after 2017, its Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal managed to become prime minister twice.

However, the unexpected alliance between NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli on July 1 midnight has relegated Dahal and his party to the opposition. Reports suggest that Deuba and Oli have agreed not to form an electoral alliance with the Maoists in the 2027 elections.

Senior CPN-UML leader Ishwar Pokhrel's revelation of this agreement has further agitated the Maoist party, with leaders accusing the two largest parties of conspiring against them. 

This week, the Maoist Center announced its intention to contest the 2027 election without any electoral alliance, despite the election being three years away. Maoist leaders view this as an opportunity to prepare for a solo campaign, allowing them to present their clear ideology and perspective to the public. Party Spokesperson Agni Sapkota noted that previous alliances hindered the party’s ability to communicate its ideology and programs effectively.

However, political observers doubt the Maoists will stick to this decision, suggesting it may be an attempt to boost cadre morale. Without an alliance, the Maoists are likely to become weaker. Meanwhile, Dahal is already preparing to form an alliance of communist parties for the 2027 elections. Recently, he reconstituted the Socialist Front, a loose network of fringe communist parties, including the CPN (Unified Socialist) led by former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. Dahal is trying to revive the idea of left consolidation, expressing concern over UML leaders’ desire to see a leftist alliance like in 2018.

Dahal is acutely aware of the party’s weakening position due to multiple splits since joining peaceful politics and his focus on government formation. Since 2008, the party has suffered at least five splits, significantly weakening its position, particularly in urban areas. The party still holds sway in certain constituencies of the mid-western district, the heartland of the Maoist insurgency, and some pockets of the hilly region. However, its urban base is crumbling.

For instance, in Kathmandu-2, senior Maoist leader Onsari Gharti lost despite an alliance with the NC, and Dahal himself is known for frequently changing his constituencies to find more favorable support. In 2022, he contested from Gorkha-2 with support from Baburam Bhattarai, who has a stronghold in that constituency. It remains uncertain where Dahal will contest the next parliamentary elections. Contesting alone would be a daunting task for the Maoists, and Dahal will likely seek support from Maoist splinter groups, though this may not be enough to secure victory.

In an effort to strengthen the party, Dahal has announced a nationwide tour to reconnect with the people and understand their problems. Even senior Maoist leaders acknowledge the party’s significantly degraded position.

Senior Maoist leader Haribol Gajurel resigned this week, admitting responsibility for the party’s decline and calling for other senior officials to do the same to initiate a fresh start. He emphasized the need for a serious review of the party's weakening position to avoid further setbacks. Gajurel, formerly Dahal's chief political advisor, had previously resigned in protest of several government decisions. 

Similar to the NC and UML, the Maoist party is plagued by factional politics and leadership tussles, with ongoing disputes about Dahal's successor. But unlike NC and UML, the Maoist party is unlikely to survive the next elections without forging strategic alliances.