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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Dahal telephoned his Indian counterpart Modi to extend best wishes for the successful accomplishment of Lok Sabha elections with the unveiling of the results of the polls held in seven phases.

On the occasion, the two leaders briefly discussed the matters concerning mutual benefits and common interests of both the countries, the Kathmandu-based Indian Embassy said.

PM Dahal expressed his readiness to work in partnership and collaboration with the to-be-formed Indian government so as to further deepen the Nepal-India relations.

PM Modi had also expressed his happiness for having conversation with his Nepali counterpart.

"I am very happy to talk to Prime Minister Prachanda. I thanked him for his warm wishes. Emphasizing our shared commitment to strengthen the deep and multifaceted partnership between India and Nepal, we agreed to maintain a positive momentum in our relations", the Indian Embassy quoted PM Modi as saying.

According to the Lok Sabha election results, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has secured 293 seats, while Prime Minister Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 240 seats alone.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government has placed the development of the energy sector in high priority.

Inaugurating the 'breakthrough' of the tunnel of Arun-3 Hydropower Project based at Amrang, Makalu Rural Municipality-5 in Sankhuwasabha today, he stated that the government, which is moving ahead prioritizing graduating to a developed country status in 2026 and attaining the sustainable development goals by 2030, has accorded high priority to the infrastructure development.

"I have been directly and indirectly acquiring information about this Project. It is currently under construction after the signing of the power development agreement on November 25, 2014. I am pleased to know that it has made 74.09 percent progress towards production and 37.95 percent progress towards the transmission line," he said.

Prime Minister Dahal expressed the confidence that with the completion this project will make a significant contribution in the power trade sector of Nepal.

"I direct the authorities concerned to complete the remaining works of the project in the stipulated time, extending the required cooperation and facilitation in acquiring the land necessary for  it," PM Dahal said.

Stating that the government has placed the development of the energy sector in high priority in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, he said the capacity of the national power system would be increased to 4500 megawatts, including the 900 megawatts of electricity to be generated from this project.

"I make special request to the political parties, the civil society and the locals active at the local level for making the necessary facilitation for the timely completion of the project in view of the government bearing an economic loss of Rs 22.7 million per day if the commercial production is not started on the stipulated date or if power production is delayed for some reason," he added.

Stating that he is aware of the demands of the locals affected by the project, the Prime Minister said the government is serious about addressing their concerns.

He said that it would be better to seek a solution through cooperation and facilitation to any challenges in the development endeavors. It will be for the collective interest of all of us, he added.

On the occasion, Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, expressed his hope that the project will contribute significantly to the promotion of Nepal's energy sector.

He also reminded of the government's target of generating 28,500 megawatts of electricity in the next 12 years. 

On the occasion, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said the project is important in the course of the implementation of the agreement of power trade of 10,000 mw between Nepal and India in the next 10 years.

Arun has high potential for power generation and such potentialities should be explored through a collaborative effort between the two countries, he asserted. He said that the government of India is ready to cooperate with Nepal to explore the possibilities for launching other projects based in the Arun River.

Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam's Chief Managing Director Sushil Kumar Sharma said Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been facilitating the implementation of the project since the beginning.

So far, the project reports 75 percent progress, he said, urging the Prime Minister to enable the atmosphere to complete it on time. He insisted on the upgrading of the Koshi Highway and the facilitation of the land acquisition procedures for the construction of a transmission mine.

He advised the government to form a high-level coordination committee and to seek solutions to the challenges regarding the project implementation in collaboration with the Investment Board of Nepal.

The project is expected to enter the production phase by March, 2025.  The production of 900 MW of electricity will be supported by tour turbines of 225 MW each.

Its power house is based in Pukuwa of Chichila rural municipality-3 and the project will have an 11.8-kilometer tunnel.

Investment Board CEO Sushil Bhatta and the local people's representatives were also present on the occasion.  The project is being developed by India's public company Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and of the powers to be generated by it, Nepal will have access to 21.9 percent of the production (around 200 MW) free of cost, and the remaining will be exported to India. It will come to the ownership of Nepal after 25 years of the commencement of the power production.

It was jointly inaugurated by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 11, 2018. Its PDA was observed on November 26, 2014.

Kamal Kumar Basnet/ RSS

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has extended best wishes to the Nepali cricket players for the excellent performance in the ICC T20 World Cup going on in the US.

Issuing a press note today, PM Dahal believed that the World Cup would further glorify Nepal's identity.

He said he was confident that Nepali team would achieve a historic victory.

PM Dahal reminded that the government he had led were taking significant decisions for the development of sports and encouragement to players while the country known for the Sagarmatha and the Buddha is adding a new hat- the country of cricket players.

"Nepali team is playing the ICC T20 World Cup after a decade. It is a matter of glory. It has drawn global attention towards Nepal. I thank Nepali cricket team for its untiring efforts and struggle for success," PM Dahal reiterated. 

The current coalition government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal may not collapse in the near future, though Prime Minister Dahal himself seems less certain. Political analysts and leaders agree that as long as the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, the first and second largest parties respectively, do not join forces to form a new government, Dahal will continue to exploit the situation. However, the complexity of Nepal’s political parties makes it challenging for analysts to make definitive predictions. Few anticipated that Dahal would expel the Nepali Congress from the government on March 4 and ally with his rival, KP Sharma Oli of UML. 

For over a year, Dahal has remained in power somehow, securing the vote of confidence three times, highlighting his government’s fragility. Since the beginning, even Dahal has appeared uncertain about the government’s longevity. He often tells his colleagues that despite predictions he wouldn't last a couple of months, he has managed to stay in power for over a year. His remarks in public also indicate his doubts about the government's survival. There are several factors that are feeding Dahal’s doubt, including the possibility that coalition partners, mainly CPN (Unified Socialist), could withdraw support anytime. 

This uncertainty has also made Dahal desperate to cling on to power. To bolster his position, Dahal facilitated a split in the Janata Samajbadi Party led by Upendra Yadav, creating a new party of seven lawmakers who now support his government. Dahal was worried after reports that Yadav was planning to pull out its support from the coalition and join forces with Congress, the main opposition, in a bid to form a new government.    

Dahal’s CPN (Maoist Center) has just 32 seats in the House of Representatives, which makes it a distant third largest party after the UML and NC. Yet, Dahal managed to become prime minister after the 2022 general elections, which took much negotiations, political maneuverings, and making and breaking of alliances.    

Dahal’s guile and cunning has kept him at the helm so far, but he has yet to (and he may never) shake off the specter of one of the coalition partners turning against him, reducing his government into a minority status.  

With Yadav’s Janata Samajbadi Party out of the picture, Prime Minister Dahal is now concerned that CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal might withdraw support to the coalition due to his growing closeness with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. While this might not immediately topple the government, it would definitely force Dahal to reaffirm his majority, further weakening his political standing. Additionally, Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane, also the minister for home affairs, faces the allegation of embezzling cooperative funds, and Dahal fears a court order might force Lamichhane to resign, prompting RSP to leave the government.

Political parties have finally agreed to form a parliamentary committee to probe the misuse of funds by multiple cooperatives across the country. Had Lamichhane’s name been included in the probe committee’s terms of reference, he might have resigned. But to prevent this, Prime Minister Dahal successfully convinced NC President Deuba to adopt a more flexible stance. It was NC that first raised the demand for a parliamentary panel to probe the financial scandals in various cooperatives, including the one linked with Home Minister Lamichhane.  

Dahal’s visit to Deuba’s residence before the budget session suggests a possible agreement between the two leaders. After forming a new  ruling coalition in March by breaking the alliance with the Congress, Dahal feels external forces might attempt to remove him from power. This explains his attempt at appeasing India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which is likely to get a historic third term as several exit polls indicate.

After parting ways with the NC, Dahal has faced increasing difficulties. Relegated to the opposition bench, the NC has been creating obstacles in the Parliament and has even initiated street protests, aiming to topple the government. There are also reports about the NC holding back-channel negotiations with the UML to form a new coalition, the one that is stable and strong.   

Within the UML, opinions are divided: some leaders believe a coalition with NC would ensure stability, while others argue that as key electoral competitors, the two parties should not ally. Nonetheless, it won’t be surprising if they come together. Some NC leaders want to join the government, fearing that the current home administration under Lamichhane might target them in corruption scandals.

At this juncture, it is difficult to gauge Oli's intentions. The UML leader has been saying that the internal and external environment is not conducive for him to become prime minister, which is why he is currently supporting Dahal and focusing on strengthening his party. 

Oli aims to make UML the largest party by inducting lawmakers from fringe parties. But at the same time he has not completely ruled out the possibility of forming an alliance with the Congress. Some leaders say Oli’s preferred option is to ally with the Maoists and ultimately seek to merge the two parties, with UML leaders in dominant positions. Oli might even try to secure the position of president after the 2027 elections, while his current targets remain NC and RSP, seeing the former as a key electoral competitor and the latter as a formidable threat to all major parties. 

With both ruling and opposition parties expending significant energy either to maintain or disrupt the coalition, governance, economy, and development are taking a hit.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is preparing to reshuffle the Cabinet.

Prime Minister Dahal is to reshuffle the Cabinet by roping in the Nagarik Unmukti Party.

Nagarik Unmukti Party Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha said that she will be appointed as the minister within a week.

She said that the Prime Minister has promised her to give the responsibility of Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation within a week.

Prime Minister Dahal is preparing to appoint Shrestha as the minister by recalling Hit Bahadur Tamang.

Party founder Resham Chaudhary and Ranjita Shrestha still have differences within the party.

There is still a dispute between them about whether to support the government or not.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the CPN (Unified Socialist) is in favor of the present ruling alliance.  

Talking to media persons at Biratnagar Airport today, Prime Minister Dahal mentioned that he held talks with CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman and former Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar Nepal, this morning and received a clear response that the CPN (US) is in favor of the current power equation.

On a different note, he explained that the budget unveiled by the federal government for the upcoming fiscal year 2024/25 has addressed the demand of construction of a ring-road in Biratnagar and a demand for operation of a medical college and other concerns of Koshi Province.

Priority has been given to production, productivity and employment in the budget, the PM added.

PM Dahal, who is also the Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Center), expressed the view that the government would be formed in Madhes Province as per the present ruling alliance.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government would implement the concept of Employment Bank to ensure employment to the available human resource on the basis of knowledge, skills and technical expertise.

The PM argued that the Employment Bank will deal with the issue of demand and supply of jobs and entrepreneurship development.

Addressing the Shramadhan Employment Fair today, the PM said entrepreneurship development would be expedited by best utilizing the labor, skills and experiences of the returnee migrants and others staying within the country.

PM Dahal said that the government has made needed provision in the upcoming fiscal year's budget to ensure employment to as many as 100,000 returnee migrants as per their knowledge, capital, skills and technical expertise.

On the occasion, the PM said welfare of the workers will be protected for their good health and wellbeing to align the SDGs and policies and programs of the government.

Similarly, the PM added that the government was working to increase domestic employment through entrepreneurship development by the proper utilization of remittance.

The PM said the country's prosperity and citizens' well being should be promoted by ensuring domestic jobs to the citizens in the long run.

"The government has planned to make the potential job aspirants more competitive by promoting their skills and capacity building. Implementation of employment fair will directly benefit a large number of youths entering the labor market," PM Prachanda said. 

Saying that the prosperity journey could be advanced through employment generation and development of decent labour, the PM appealed to the stakeholders for a joint effort and cooperation to materialize this.

The PM also termed the 'Shramadhan Employment Fair' a meaningful intervention and hoped that the fair will be instrumental to tap into the opportunities in the labor and employment sector and to offer a one-stop solution to the problems.

Likewise, the PM shared that several new programs have been introduced in the new budget for the upcoming fiscal year for employment creation, entrepreneurship development of returnees, revive the agriculture sector and others.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that economic reforms would get pace along with implementation of the budget for the coming fiscal year 2024/25.

After inaugurating a modern building of Chautara Hospital today, the Prime Minister mentioned that the budget for the coming fiscal year was unveiled promoting production, productivity and employment.

"We have gained many achievements after the establishment of the republic. Quality change has been achieved from the infrastructure sector to public sector including health and education", he explained. 

The Prime Minister shared, "The budget for the coming fiscal year has announced that Nepal has now entered the new phase of economic reforms", stating that the federal government through policies, program and budget has forwarded programs of strategic importance in order to improve living standard of the people and making people of feel about the change.

He added that quality change in service delivery of hospitals has been seen in recent periods.

The existence of healthy citizens suggests that the country's economy and society are healthy, the Prime Minister said, adding that a populace that is physically and mentally fit can make substantial contributions to national development.

With this principle in mind, the government has accorded top priority to the enhancement of the health sector, he stated. "Noticeable strides in the health indicators in a short period is the achievement of the republic system."

He said that with the completion of a new building for the hospital, it will be able to function efficiently and effectively.

Recalling the time he spent in the district during the 'people's war', the Prime Minister said he used to visit Sindhupalchowk frequently during the war. I am familiar with the villages, settlements, cliffs, and the overall geography of the district." He shared that he still cherished the memories of being offered meals by senior mothers in the district during those days."

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has urged one and all to make more efforts to keep mountains free from pollution and protect them.

Prime Minister Dahal pointed out the need to engage in the protection of mountains by making collaboration and coordination among all bodies concerned.

At a program organized on the occasion of the 71st International Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) Day here today, he requested all to support the government's 'Save Mountain, Save Humanity' campaign.

Stating that with the rise in temperature due to global effects of climate change, mountains including Sagarmatha face its consequences, the Prime Minister said there are challenges to mitigate the impacts of climate change and implement proper measures for waste management in the mountains.

"There is a need for collaboration and coordination to make mountains pollution-free. The government has adopted a policy of holding dialogue in national and international forums for the same", he stressed.

" Snow melting, increasing the risk of glacial lakes bursting and increasing air pollution along with temperature rise have been making negative impacts on the human life, civilization, development, lifestyle and health of the people living at low-lying areas of mountains", he added.

Prime Minister Dahal shared, "Nepal has been advocating for climate justice in national and international arenas, keeping activities to protect mountainous regions and reducing impacts of climate change there in high priority."

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that the day will inspire all of us to promote tourist arrivals, preserve the mountains, address the issues of garbage disposal in the mountains, take measures to mitigate the impact of climate change there and launch further programs for climate change adaptation, according to the Prime Minister's private secretariat. 

"Sagarmatha stands as a unique emblem of Nepal's identity and beauty. This also serves as a hub for biological diversities and it carries historic and cultural identities of the mountain people and the community," the Prime minister said, adding that the mountain region is a host to environmental facilities, clean water, and clean air to the world, significantly contributing to biodiversity, temperature control and balance, ecological system and the continuity of the human lifecycle.”

Highlighting Nepal's multifaceted identity on the global stage, the Prime Minister said that natural, cultural, and historical heritages like Sagarmatha and Lumbini are sources of pride for the entire world.

The expedition journey that significantly started with the ascent to Sagarmatha has now been worldwide, he said, adding that the attraction of mountain climbing in Nepal, home to multiple peaks above 8,000 meters, is increasing.

He also said the government is working on related plans, policies, and programs to ensure the safety of mountain climbers and promote their dignity as its prime concern.   The government expects to welcome 1.6 million tourists to the country in the upcoming fiscal year, he added.

He also paid tributes to all those who lost their valuable lives during Everest expeditions, extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved.

The task force formed for the formation of a parliamentary probe committee submitted its report to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday.

After an agreement was reached in the meeting of the task force held at the Law Ministry this morning, the task force member submitted the report to Prime Minister Dahal in Singha Durbar. After that, the report was made public.

The Prime Minister’s Secretariat said that a four-point agreement was signed in the task force to end the long-standing dispute between the ruling and opposition parties and House deadlock.

According to the agreement, the tenure of the parliamentary probe committee formed to investigate the misuse of cooperative funds will be of three months. There will be seven members in the committee.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, lawmakers Jeevan Pariyar, Mahesh Kumar Bartaula, Shishir Khanal, Hit Raj Pandey and Gyanendra Bahadur Karki signed the agreement.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government is committed to taking the peace process to a logical conclusion as well as concluding the remaining task of transitional justice. 

At a special function organized at Nepal Army Pavilion, Tundikhel today on the occasion of Republic Day, Prime Minister Dahal said that most of the tasks related to conflict management and establishment of peace have been completed to address the sentiments of the Constitution. 

"The government is committed to take the peace process to the logical conclusion and complete the remaining tasks of transitional justice", he added. 

“Nepal’s practice in conflict management and establishment of peace has been established as a new example in the world,” PM Dahal said.

He explained that allowance has been distributed to the people injured and mutilated during the armed conflict and people's movement.

The PM clarified that the three-tier elections held in a free, fearless, and impartial manner have strengthened the federal governance system in the country, adding the three-level governments function for the welfare and prosperity of the citizens.

"The government is committed to advancing the country towards its national aspiration for prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali along with the establishment of political stability, good governance, development, and social justice as it yearns for achieving a socialism-oriented socio-economic transformation as per the need of the nation and the citizens," the Prime Minister said.

He said that the effective implementation of the constitution, strengthening of federalism, economic reform and recovery, promotion of good governance, improvement, and simplification in the public service delivery system, the establishment of civic-friendly governance, and the prevention of corruption are the top priorities of the government. 

According to him, those communities who were pushed into exclusions for ages to age now have their rights and participation in the decision-making levels at the state's various bodies following a revolutionary change in the nation.

Communities that endured centuries of oppression, including those subjected to untouchability, now hold positions in 6,743 wards and other State bodies.

The women community who are referred to as 'half the sky' were largely confined to the domestic roles. But with the historic transformation in the country, they lead the 753 local levels as the mayors or the deputy mayors. 

Stating that women's participation has been ensured not only in the public sector but also in the political and social sectors, the Prime Minister said various constitutional commissions are working to promote the rights of those communities’ facing exclusion and to mainstream their participation in each body of the State. 

"We are commemorating Republic Day as a milestone in Nepal's journey towards prosperity, symbolizing the eradication of social, cultural, and economic disparities that have long plagued Nepali society," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the republic is the result of collective political efforts launched to build a prosperous Nepal where social justice prevails. 

It is the aspiration of change, PM Dahal said while addressing a special function organized at Army Pavilion, Tundikhel on the occasion of the Republic Day this morning.

"We, the political parties aspiring for change, established a republic with common efforts so that a discriminatory social structure was wiped out and federalism and new constitution achieved," PM reminded, adding that it abolished the unitary and feudalistic dynasty rule.

According to him, a stage of political revolution was over with the establishment of a federal democratic republic. He warned that any effort that tries to foil this achievement would not be successful. Dahal underlined the need for national cooperation and collaboration for the agenda of change.

"Historically, backsliding of systems is not seen. Nepal moves ahead now. However, additional achievements are needed to substantiate inclusion, proportional representation and freedoms," he opined.

According to him, the country has been making a significant stride in people's lifestyles. Government is firm on protecting national interest with independent and balanced foreign policy, PM Dahal added.

He further explained that the relations with neighboring countries and international agencies were improved, thereby ensuring Nepal's graduation to the status of developing countries by 2083BS. Campaigning is underway to achieve SDGs by 2087BS.

He also shared that financial and monetary policies were enforced in congruity to recover national economy from slowdown; necessary laws and policies revised to create investment atmosphere; state coffers utilized for people's benefit; farmers' rights addressed gradually; construction of infrastructures intensified; and efforts made for national unity to ensure self-reliant socialism.

Republic is not only a system but a lifestyle. It is getting established at civic level, Dahal stressed.

The special program was attended by the President, Vice President, Chief Justice, Speaker, Chairman of National Assembly, Deputy Prime Ministers, former prime ministers, ministers, and chiefs of diplomatic missions in the country.

The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force conducted march-past and cultural pageants on the occasion.

A Nepal Army helicopter displayed a banner reading 'Republic Day, 2081' and cascaded flowers in Tundikhel.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held separate meetings with the ruling and opposition parties on Monday. 

Prime Minister Dahal held separate meetings with the ruling and opposition parties after the task force formed to form a parliamentary probe committee to investigate cooperative fraud scam failed to forge consensus on the terms of reference (ToR).

The main opposition Nepali Congress Deputy General Secretary Jeevan Pariyar said that he informed the Prime Minister about the party’s stance and demand.

Though the Prime Minister is positive on finalizing the ToR, an agreement has not been reached among the parties about whether to mention the name of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, who is accused of embezzling millions of rupees from a cooperative, he said.

“A joint meeting was held between the ruling and opposition parties and separate meetings with the Prime Minister but could not yield any fruit,” Pariyar said, adding, “We put our views. The meeting ended on a positive note but the ruling coalition is not ready to mention the name of Lamichhane.”

There is a mandatory provision in the Constitution that the budget must be unveiled on May 27.

The government is scheduled to unveil the budget at 1 pm tomorrow.

The Congress has warned that it would obstruct tomorrow’s meeting as well if consensus is not forged among the parties.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government's policies and programs for the coming fiscal year aim to fulfill the national aspiration of building a prosperous Nepal.

He added that good governance, social justice for social and economic transformation towards socialism as specified by the constitution are the major topics contained in the policies and programs. Prime Minister Dahal came up with this view, responding to the amendments put by the lawmakers on the government's policies and programs. 

PM Dahal expressed his gratitude for the constructive suggestions and feedback received from the parliamentarians through the amendment proposal. "Parliamentarian Chitra Bahadur KC has submitted a 16-point amendment proposal on the proposed policies and programs, some of which require amending the language and wordings while some require additional amendments," he said, adding that the proposed amendments on health, education, labor, nationality and foreign policy headings are important.

He said that the government has emphasized on the development of a self-reliant agricultural economy, promotion of entrepreneurship, infrastructure development and job creation to develop the information technology sector as the main driver of production and productivity growth.

The Prime Minister also informed the House that some specific programs have been proposed for access to justice for the socially marginalized and oppressed classes.

Prior to this, lawmaker Prem Suwal proposed amendments to the proposed policies and programs on 48 points.

Prime Minister Dahal said that suggestions such as economic equality, social justice, development, nationalism, foreign policy, education, health, and investment promotion will be taken seriously in the proposed amendment.

"The government will insist on the immediate endorsement by the Parliament of the Bill on Khwopa College and some of the amendments are of the nature of amendment of the Constitution and Laws, therefore, require discussion in the Parliament," he said.  

Prime Minister Dahal assured that the amendments received from the parliamentarians on the proposed policies and programs will cover the additional issues mentioned in the annual budget statement the Government is to present in the Parliament on Jestha 15 (May 28).

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said he is confident of a political development to put an end to the ongoing parliamentary obstructions by Monday.

Though today's political meeting aiming to end the Parliament impasse failed to meet the objective, there will be consensus and an agreement in this regard by tomorrow, according to him.

He said this during his replies to the concerns over the government policies and programs for the fiscal year 2081-82 (2024-25) in a meeting of the House of Representatives today for a consensus. "Though it was not possible today, I hope it will be achieved tomorrow."

It may be noted that the NC continues to obstruct the parliamentary proceedings demanding the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the alleged involvement of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane, in the misappropriation of the cooperative funds.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a meeting with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba in his bid to end the current House deadlock created by the Congress.

Prime Minister Dahal had reached Budhanilkantha to urge Deuba to end the Parliament impasse, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat informed.

It has been said that they discussed contemporary political issues for around 40 minutes.

Senior leaders of the major political parties are holding a meeting to finalize the terms of reference (ToR) of the parliamentary probe committee.

The NC has long been obstructing the parliamentary proceedings, alleging the involvement of Deputy Prime Minister Lamichhane in the fraud and demanding the formation of a parliamentary committee to ensure a fair investigation into the case whereas the CPN-UML and RSP in particular have made it clear that an individual-centric probe is simply unacceptable.

The government is preparing to endorse the government’s policies and programs in the Parliament meeting today.

Congress lawmakers, however, have been saying that they would allow the House to function until the parliamentary probe committee is formed.

The main opposition is organizing a mass demonstration today to mount pressure on the government.