Coalition parties meeting to decide on NA elections seat-sharing

KATHMANDU: With the meeting of major ruling parties failing to forge a consensus in finalizing the allocation of seats Saturday for the January 26 National Assembly elections, they have decided to sit for another round of talks even today.

Following a marathon meeting held until Saturday night at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, where consensus remained elusive, the parties are set to resume discussions today.

Saturday’s meeting saw the participation of leaders from the Nepali Congress, CPN Maoist Center, CPN Unified Socialist, Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, Janamat Party, Janamorcha Nepal, Nagarik Unmukti Party, and others.

Nagarik Unmukti Party Chairman Dr. CK Raut said that major ruling parties of the coalition failed to reach a consensus.

“There’s no consensus on seat allocation among NC, Maoist Center, and Janata Samajwadi Party,” Dr. Raut said.

According to sources, the Rastriya Janamorcha has also claimed one seat.

NC reportedly maintains its demand for 11 seats. While nearly confirming two seats, the Janata Samajwadi Party has asserted its claim for three seats.

The alliance’s readiness to grant one seat each to Nagarik Unmukti Party, Janamat Party, and Janamorcha Nepal doesn’t align with NC, the largest party in terms of representation in the coalition.