KATHMANDU: Leaders of the Maoist Center and Nepal Samajwadi Party have intensified discussions for unity between the two parties.

Leaders of both parties engaged in a formal discussion for the second time on Tuesday as well for unity between the Maoist Center and Nepal Samajwadi Party.

While Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda led the Maoist Center, the Nepal Samajwadi Party is led by Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai.

Ganga Narayan Shrestha, who is the coordinator of the negotiation team from Nepal Samajwadi Party, said they have close to an agreement.

“Some ideological matters are to be resolved, and unresolved matters are to be discussed in the respective parties,” he said.

Both parties have agreed to draft an interim statute and a political manifesto encompassing all points that is acceptable to both parties.