CPN-UML leaders on Tuesday morning snubbed an all-party meeting called by President Ramchandra Paudel to discuss the issue of ending the deadlock of the federal Parliament.

Mahesh Bartaula, UML whip, said they did not attend the meeting, arguing that the President cannot summon the all-party meeting to discuss specific agendas.

“The President does not have the right to call an all-party meeting with an agenda,” said Bartaula. “The prime minister himself is discussing on addressing the demands by the main opposition. The President should not get involved in works to be done by the executive.”

In the meeting, President Paudel expressed his satisfaction with the news that political parties have inched closer to ending the House deadlock.

“I believe the Parliament will resume its business following an agreement,” said President Paudel. “Parties should resolve disputes through dialogues for the sake of national interests. This is the beauty of democracy. There are many examples when Nepal’s political parties have overcome obstacles through dialogues even in tough situations.”

Leaders of major political parties on late Monday night agreed to form a high-level probe panel to investigate recent cases of gold smuggling.

Leaders reached the agreement at a meeting convened by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. They entrusted a team of three leaders—Subas Nembang of CPN-UML, Ramesh Lekhak of Nepali Congress and Hitraj Pandey of CPN (Maoist Centre)—with the responsibility of drafting the modality and terms of reference of the elite body.

Congress chief Sher Bahadur Deuba, UML chair KP Oli, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chief Rabi Lamichhane, among other leaders, were present at the meeting.

“We have agreed in principle to form a high-level probe panel. The drafting team will come up with its modality tomorrow [Tuesday],” Santosh Pariyar of the RSP told the Post.

The main opposition UML has been obstructing Parliament proceedings for nearly a month demanding a high-level investigation into the smuggling.