Merger of CPN-UML, Maoists in next few days: Prachanda

Hinting at the merger of Nepal's two major Left parties before the formation of a new government, CPN (Maoist) chief Prachanda has said the proposed unification would take place soon despite "conspiracies" to foil the process.
Prachanda's remark has come at a time when talks between the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre have failed to move forward due to differences over several contentious issues, including leadership of the new party, a report in the Republica said.
Addressing a party function at Mahabharat Rural Municipality of Kavrepalanchowk district, he said "the two parties were inching closer to a deal despite conspiracies from some quarters to foil the process."

Without specifying, Prachanda, 63, also said some elements were hell-bent on stopping the merger.
The two parties had split two years ago.
Yesterday, negotiators from the two parties held talks in a bid to iron out differences, but met with little success, the report said.

During the talks, a power-sharing deal was finalised by the second-rung provincial level leaders of both the parties but it ended without discussing any other contentious issues citing lack of preparations, it said.
CPN-UML leaders had given an alternative proposal to create a special portfolio for Prachanda, which would be the second highest position in the party structure but the CPN- Maoist chief has reportedly rejected it, the report said.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, CPN-UML Vice Chairman Bamdev Gautam said that the meeting had approved a power-sharing deal reached by negotiators of the two parties for six provinces, where the Left is expected to form a government.
On Sunday, the two parties had reached an agreement to form governments in four and six provinces, while dividing key portfolios including speakers and deputy speakers for provincial assemblies, the report said.
During yesterday's meeting, CPN-UML chief KP Sharma Oli and Prachanda had cited the need for further understanding on disputed issues including premiership and leadership of the new party, it said.

Despite a series of formal and informal negotiation at various levels, the two parties still appear poles apart on leadership, organisation and ideology of the merged entity. The biggest dispute is over the leadership, the report said.
Quoting party sources the paper said, Prachanda's claim over both premiership and party leadership have emerged as the biggest hurdle in the planned unification.
CPN-Maoist Centre spokesperson Pampha Bhusal had said they are looking for a deal on overall aspects of the merger rather than one particular post, the report said.