In what appears to be a significant development, three major parties – NC, UML and UCPN (Maoist)- and United Democratic Madheshi Front (UDMF) Wednesday night agreed to form a new national unity government to replace the current government to ensure constitution by the May 27 deadline.

Emerging from the meeting, CPN (UML) chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal said that there has been an agreement between the political parties to form a new national unity government possibly by Thursday after dissolving the current Baburam Bhattarai-led government.

He said there is a strong possibility of formation of national unity government by Thursday.

Khanal said the meeting (which began Wednesday afternoon and went on till late in the night) however decided to let Baburam Bhattarai continue as the prime minister until May 27.

“Thereafter, Bhattarai-led government will be replaced by a Nepali Congress- led government,” Khanal informed, adding that the NC-led government (to be led by NC vice president Ram Chandra Poudel)will promulgate the new constituton.

The major political parties are due to meet again on Thursday to discuss the composition of the Bhattarai-led consensus government including agendas related to constitution drafting. nepalnews.com