Kathmandu: Nepal's ruling coalition today named a high-level panel to expedite talks with agitating Madhesi regional parties based in the Terai plains to create a favourable environment for the key Constituent Assembly polls on April 10.

The ruling Seven Party Alliance (SPA) committee today formed the team headed by Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ramchandra Poudyal to find early solutions to the political problems that could possibly create major security obstacles in the holding of the polls.

The team includes representatives from all the seven parties, according to Minister Poudyal. Expressing concern over the prevailing security environment in the country, Nepal Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokharel had urged the government to settle the political problems, particularly in the Terai plains bordering India.

Since the landmark peace pact of 2006, over 200 people have been killed in the Terai in ethnic and communal unrest that has cast a shadow over the democratic transition in the country.

The election is a key part of the peace deal and will set in motion a process to end the 239-year-old monarchy in the country and frame a new constitution for Nepal.

During the meeting held at the Maoists office in Buddhanagar in the capital today, ruling parties have also decided to form a panel to probe into the obstructions created by the Maoists during the election campaign of Nepali Congress and CPN-UML in different parts of the country.

Former minister and Nepali Congress leader Dilendra Badu and two dozen other activists were injured when the Maoists attacked them during an election rally in Darchula and Baitadi districts in Western Nepal last week. 

Source : PTI