Senior leaders of three major political parties; Unified Maoists, Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML meeting at Singha Durbar this morning to find a way out of the current political crisis ended without a consensus. The meeting had been called at the initiative of UML. After the meeting Nepali Congress's Ram Chandra Paudel said that there was no consensus at the meeting. On a hopeful note Paudel added that the parties might meet again and till that time individual parties would be holding bilateral consultations. UML leaders also said that discussions would continue and there are chances of reaching to some sort of agreement by later tonight. Earlier, NC’s Arjun Narsingh KC who came out briefly said that PM was adamant on sacking army chief Rookmangud Katawal and quoted him as saying that 'other issues' could be decided later. KC added that NC has had enough of assurances from the Maoists and the party was also sticking to its demand of retaining Katawal as CoAS. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, defence minister Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, finance minister Baburam Bhattarai; UML leaders Jhala Nath Khanal, home minister Bamdev Gautam, Madhav Nepal; and NC’s Ram Chandra Paudel, Arjun Narsingh KC and Dr Ram Sharan Mahat among others were present in the meeting. Yesterday, Dahal had met NC president Girija Prasad Koirala but there was no headway in the meeting on the army chief issue with both the leaders sticking to their stands. Later in the day the central committee meeting of the main opposition Nepali Congress decided to launch fresh protests to press the UCPN-Maoist against their series of 'autocratic and undemocratic' moves
