Kathmandu, Apr. 15:

Leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and CPN-ML Sunday said that Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai should pave the way for the new national unity government.

Speaking at the Reporters Club here, they also clarified that the NC and UML would not join the current government and urged the Prime Minister to implement the seven-point deal inked on November 1.

However, UCPN-Maoist leader urged the NC and UML to join the present government to conclude the constitution writing process.

The Maoist leader said that it was not a time to change the government and all parties should concentrate their efforts on concluding the historical tasks of constitution writing.

NC leader Dr. Ram Saran Mahat said that the NC and UML would not join the current government.

He said that Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai should pave the way for the formation of a new national consensus government.

Stating that the government was setting a new record in promoting corruption, Dr. Mahat reiterated that his party would not become a part of the corrupt government.

"The government should step down and pave the way for a unity government," he said. "The Prime Minister should support the NC to form the consensus government before promulgating the new constitution."

Dr. Mahat also said that it was the turn of NC to lead the unity government and clarified that NC was giving first priority to the conclusion of peace and constitution drafting processes. "Formation of the new government is a third priority of NC," he said.

He further said that federalism should be based on identity and capacity and added that all parties should give up their petty interest for a scientific federal system.

He said that six federal states would be appropriate for the country.

CPN-UML leader Pradeep Gyawali said that his party would also not join the current government at the existing circumstances.

"If the government annuls the four-point deal inked with United Democratic Madhesi Front (UMF) then UML can think about joining the current government," he said.

Terming the NC’s demand for the leadership of the new government as positive, Gyawali said that his party was ready to support the NC to form the new government.

He said that the four-point agreement signed between the government and UDMF was against the nationality and sovereignty and added, "The UML has clear views about the national unity government. We are ready to support the NC to lead the new government."

Talking about federalism, Gyawali said that from six to nine federal provinces would be suitable for Nepal.

He said that all parties should overcome their ego and be flexible in their stance to promulgate the new constitution within the stipulated deadline.

He clarified that his party was ready to accept the mixed governance system in the new constitution.

Prime Minister’s political advisor and UCPN-Maoist leader Devendra Poudel said that the opposition parties should support the government to promulgate the new constitution.

He urged the UML and NC to join the government instead of engaging in changing the government.

He said that the Prime Minister’s resignation would not help conclude the constitution writing process.

However, he said that the Prime Minister would be ready to quit the government if the political parties reached a consensus to form the new government.

Poudel said that the four-point deal inked between the government

and the UDMF was not against the nationality and all parties should support the government to implement it.

He further said that the parties were close to consensus on the issues of governance system, state restructuring and others. CPN-ML general secretary CP Mainali said that all parties should support the NC to lead the new government and stressed that it was NC’s turn to lead the new government. He said that five to six federal provinces would be suitable for the country and all parties should realize the capacity of the country before deciding the number of federal units.