The ruling Nepali Congress (Democratic), CPN-UML, Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Nepal Sadbhawana Party jointly unveiled the much-awaited common minimum program (CMP) amid a press conference here in the capital Wednesday.

The 43-point CMP divided into four parts primarily stresses the need to resolve the Maoist problem and hold general elections at the earliest with consensus among all political forces.

The CMP that is perceived as the binding factor for the upcoming coalition government also aims to vest sovereign powers in the people and bolster the democratic process. Socio-economic reforms and development programs are other priority areas outlined in the CMP.

Speaking at the press conference, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said the functioning of the upcoming all-party government would be based on the CMP itself. Asked when he planned to expand the Council of Ministers, “very soon” was all Deuba had to say.

The prime minister however remained reserved over the issue of the proposed UN mediation in the peace process. “All options that can lead to a concrete solution are welcome,” said he.

Deuba at the same time asked other political parties including the Nepali Congress to join the government in order to address the problems dogging the country.

Speaking at the press conference, UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said he was hopeful that the upcoming all-party government would address the country’s problems.

Likewise, RPP chairman Pashupati Shumsher Rana and Badri Mandal of NSP said their parties were joining the coalition with the hope of solving the prevailing crisis. Rana however said his party wanted few things to be settled before joining the government. NC (D) leader Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat had read out the four-page-long draft.