Kathmandu, May. 9: An all party meeting held today under the chairmanship of Speaker Taranath Ranabhat to discuss preparations for the 18th Session of Parliament which is to commenced from May 15 laid emphasis upon the need for Parliament and all bodies concerned to show accountability and sensivity. The meeting was held in order to make Parliament effective, responsible and in consonance with the people’s expectations.

During the meeting held at the Speaker’s Office, the participants stressed that all should be concerned to make the upcoming session result-oriented.

Speaker Ranabhat pointed out the need for all to rise above individual and party interests and uphold the spirit of cooperation and tolerance between the ruling party and the opposition so as to enhance the dignity of the Houses of Parliament.

Referring to the upcoming session as a budget session, Minister for Finance Mahesh Acharya said that efforts have been made to include suggestions from lawmakers while preparing the budget as per the norms of the parliamentary system under which consensus is sought among differing opinions.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was also present.

Also present were chairman of the National Assembly Dr. Mohammad Mohasin, Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel, leader of the Main Opposition Party Madhav Kumar Nepal and leaders from all political parties represented in Parliament.

Lawmakers Rajendra Pandey, Sitanandan Raya, Surendra Pandey and Rajeswar Devkota spoke about how Parliament could be made more respectable and effective.

The meeting also passed a resolution mourning the demise of senior leftist leader Nirmal Lama.