Kathmandu: The leaders of Nepal's seven major political parties held crucial talks to forge consensus on the issues of the future of monarchy and a new date for the key Constituent Assembly polls, put off indefinitely after the Maoists quit the government.

The meeting at Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's residence at Baluwatar here comes hours before the regular winter session of Parliament begins.

"We will try to forge understanding on the major issues including the voting system, declaration of a republic and new date for the Constituent Assembly polls," said Arjun Narsingh K C, the spokesman of Koirala's Nepali Congress.

Informal consultations between the leaders of the major parties have been held over the past ten days when the Parliament session was adjourned in a bid to reach a consensus on key issues.

A political deadlock gripped the country after the Maoists walked out of the government on September 18 following differences over preconditions put forward by them.

The former rebels are demanding that Nepal be declared a Republic before the election, which was to be held on November 22 to choose a special assembly to re-write the country's constitution and decide the fate of the monarchy.

They are also seeking a fully proportionate voting system. "The parties haven t reached any consensus as of Wednesday evening," senior CPN-UML leader Jhalanath Khanal said, adding the Nepali Congress and the CPN-Maoist haven't yet changed their stances.

The NC wants to decide the fate of monarchy through the polls and adopt a mixed voting system.

Source : PTI