Notwithstanding the commitment expressed to hold the eight party meeting soon, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said such meeting would be held only after the Maoists control the activities of the Young Communist League (YCL).

In his meeting with the president of the Nepal Workers and Peasant Party (NWPP) Narayan Man Bijukchhe at the PM’s residence in Baluwatar Sunday morning, Koirala said unless the YCL activists were controlled, seized lands are returned and obstruction of the parliament proceedings ended, the eight-party meeting would not be held.

PM Koirala also said PLA members under the age of 18 presently living in cantonments would not be accepted.

Bijukchhe quoted Koirala as saying that the eight party meeting would finalise the date for constituent assembly. Bijukchhe further told reporters after the meeting that his party drew the prime minister’s attention on the Bhutanese refugee issue and appointment of the officials at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Development of Khowpa College in Bhaktapur into a university was also the subject of their discussion.

Sunil Prajapati and Prem Suwal of the party had accompanied Bijukchhe in the meeting.

While the leaders of the eight parties have been putting pressure on him to hold the eight party meeting, Koirala has been holding discussion with party leaders separately.