by Our Foreign Desk

NEPAL’S three main parties began discussions on forming a new government yesterday as protesters blockading the border agreed to talks.

Unified Communist Party of Nepal — Maoist (CPN-M) vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the party was attempting to form a coalition with the Nepalese Congress Party and the Communist Party of Nepal — Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML).

He said they were unable to reach agreement yesterday but that negotiations were ongoing.

Parliament is likely to vote next week on a prime minister to lead a new government, with CPN-UML president Khadga Prasad Oli expected to be chosen. National presidential elections will follow.

The United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) is the main group protesting against Nepal’s new constitution — passed by the constituent assembly last month — which defines the country as a secular republic.

It said in a statement that a four-member team had been selected to hold talks with the government.

The UDMF ostensibly objects to the country’s new system of seven states, which will divide the southern Madhesh region.

Protesters have blockaded border crossings with India, Nepal’s main trading partner, leading to dire shortages of fuel.

The government has accused India of fomenting the unrest in order to force a return of the monarchy, which was deposed in 2007 following the CPN-M’s 10-year guerilla war.

Police said that 66 lorries, including some carrying fuel, had entered Nepal yesterday at the Jogbani crossing, 250 miles south-east of the capital Kathmandu.