KATHMANDU: The meeting of the task force formed to prepare Terms of Reference (TOR) for a Parliamentary Investigation Committee to probe misappropriation of cooperative funds remained inconclusive.

The much-anticipated meeting between the ruling party and the opposition, held at Baluwatar, concluded without reaching any agreement, prolonging the deadlock gripping the nation’s political landscape.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Nepali Congress leaders Purna Bahadur Khadka, Krishna Sitaula, Gagan Thapa, Ramesh Lekhak, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, and Jiwan Pariyar attended the meeting.

Similarly, others present at the meeting were Law Minister Padam Giri and CPN-UML leader Mahesh Bartaula, Finance Minister Barshman Pun, and Hitraj Pandey from the Maoist Center, and Rastriya Swatantra Party leaders Rabi Lamichhane, Swarnim Wagle and Santosh Pariyar.

The Nepali Congress, in its capacity as the main opposition party in the Federal Parliament, has maintained a stance advocating for the formation of a parliamentary investigation committee specifically dedicated to probing the cooperative case, with a particular emphasis on involving Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane in its proceedings.

Leaders from both sides convened at the official residence of the Prime Minister in a bid to break the impasse paralyzing parliamentary proceedings.

Members of the TOR task force of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee were also in attendance, adding weight to the discussions.

Despite concerted efforts by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda to foster consensus, Nepali Congress MP Jiwan Pariyar lamented the absence of a cohesive agreement, citing challenges posed by other ruling parties.

In response to the stalemate, Pariyar disclosed plans for a meeting with Nepali Congress officials scheduled for today afternoon at the residence of party President Sher Bahadur Deuba in Budhanilakantha.

Following this, he indicated that further deliberations with the Prime Minister would take place later in the evening, renewing hopes for a breakthrough in the ongoing negotiations.