Kathmandu, May 14

A meeting of the top leaders of three major parties—UCPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML and the United Democratic Madhesi Front Monday evening agreed in principle on the mixed form of governance.

The top leaders who reached Lazimpat residence of UCPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ from Singh Durbar after ending the meeting of the Dispute Resolution Committee inconclusively succeeded to make the breakthrough although only in principle.

They were also learnt to have agreed on the judicial system. After the meeting, UCPN-Maoist vice chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Narayankaji Shretsha said that the leaders almost agreed on the directly elected president and parliament-elected executive prime minister.

However, he said that the parties were yet to decide about the executive powers to be exercised by the head of the state and the head of the government.

The leaders agreed to hold meeting Tuesday morning to sort out other contentious issues of the new constitution.

Similarly, he informed that the parties agreed on 11 federal provinces. However, they have not finalized their names and areas, he said. CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal said that the leaders also discussed about judiciary and citizenship issues during the meeting.

"We will sort out all contentious issues by forging consensus at any cost," Khanal said.NC vice president said the parties agreed on the issues of state restructuring.

Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, UCPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda, Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala and vice president Poudel, UML chairman Khanal and senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, UDMF chief Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar and TMLP chairman Mahantha Thakur were present in the meeting.