Political parties have shown some flexibility on forms of governance and federalism – to solve the current dispute – through the second track.

The parties – that are already behind the schedule to reach consensus by September 6 deadline – have started backdoor negotiations hoping to come closure with a little compromise.

Though the CA calendar would not bar an extension of a few days, if there is a genuine progress on some of the contentious issues of the new constitution, the parties have been working hard to meet the deadline, he said, adding that the parties are required to prepare the first draft of constitution by mid-October, according to the calendar that has fixed January 22 to promulgate the new constitution.

The number of federal states – the first disputed issue – might be resolved, if the parties come closure and compromise on the numbers as they all have been vouching for seven to 10 state model.

If UCPN-Maoist leaders accept an eight-province model – from their current 10-state model, the ruling parties might agree to address the issue of ethnicity-based federalism, according to a Nepali Congress (NC) leader.

The NC and CPN-UML – ruling alliance – have floated seven-state model and they will also agree on eight state model, the leaders said, adding that the Madhesi parties have already agreed on two provinces in Tarai-Madhes.

Likewise, the UCPN-Maoist that had been demanding for a directly-elected President has shown flexibility for a directly-elected prime minister. The CPN-UML has floated the idea of directly-elected prime minister, though NC had been lobbying for parliament-elect prime minister.

The UCPN-Maoists claimed that a directly-elected executive head will ensure a political stability as there will be no multiple power centre.

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