KATHMANDU: At the initiative of President Ramchandra Paudel, top leaders of three major political parties and Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki held their first formal talks at Shital Niwas on Tuesday.
The meeting brought together Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, NCP coordinator and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, along with Prime Minister Karki. The talks are seen as a significant step toward reducing political distance between the interim government and the major parties.
According to the President’s press advisor Kiran Pokharel, the meeting resulted in an understanding to move forward with dialogue, particularly to create a conducive environment for the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. It was also agreed that detailed discussions would continue at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, although the date has not yet been fixed.
“The country is in a serious and sensitive situation. Ensuring the success of the announced elections is our shared responsibility,” President Paudel was quoted as saying during the discussion.
The meeting follows prolonged political tension after the interim government was formed in the aftermath of the Gen-Z movement on September 8 and 9. The President’s mediation has been viewed as instrumental in opening channels of communication between the government and the three major parties.
With political uncertainty deepening, the dialogue has raised expectations that a clearer decision will emerge on whether elections will be held as scheduled on March 5, 2026. While the Nepali Congress and UML continue to advocate for the restoration of Parliament, the CPN has maintained its position in favor of elections.
Shital Niwas stated that the talks have helped foster a climate of trust, marking a rare instance of direct engagement among the interim government and the country’s top political leadership.
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