The ruling Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, which gave a halfhearted response to the committee, have agreed to form such a body lately on condition that the smaller parties are kept outside.

An internal meeting of the Maoists on Sunday decided not to accept the proposal. “The NC-UML proposal to form the HLPC of only three parties is a conspiracy to create a rift in the Maoist-Madhesi alliance. This is unacceptable to us,” said Maoist leader Haribol Gajurel.

The ruling parties have said the mandate of the HLPC should be such that it does not infringe on the jurisdiction of the sovereign CA and its leadership should be rotational, which the UCPN (Maoist) has apprehensions about.

The UCPN (M) is of the view that as a signatory to the four-point agreement that envisages the HLPC, Madhes-based parties should be taken on board. Another reason why the UCPN (M) is unprepared to leave them back is its alliance with them.

Maoist and Madhesi parties are also working out a common position on the contentious issues of the constitution-writing process. NC and UML leaders read the Maoist plan as its bid to increase its bargaining power in the constitution drafting process.