Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said the October 8 summit talks would be focussed mainly on the issue of arms management “for which Maoist chairman Prachanda has given his consent”.

Speaking to media persons in his hometown, Biratnagar, Friday morning, PM Koirala said peace process couldn’t move ahead without finding a solution of the arms of the Maoists.

He said the summit talks have been postponed in order to buy time for broad discussion on modalities of arms management and some major political issues. After Dashain, Koirala said, all issues would be finalised by the summit meeting even if the talks continue for more than five days, he added.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister and ministers have decided not to go to the Royal Palace to receive Tika from King Gyanendra on the Dashami of the Dashain festival.

Traditionally, the prime minister, ministers, heads of the constitutional bodies, security chiefs, senior government officers and general people would go to the Narayanhiti Royal Palace to receive Tika from the King and the Queen.

PM Koirala is scheduled to return to Kathmandu after five days.