KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s first dialogue with political parties since the formation of the interim government on September 12 is currently underway in Singha Durbar.

The meeting brings together parties represented in the dissolved House of Representatives, along with two observers appointed by the prime minister—Kedarbhakta Mathema and Bidyadhar Mallik.

From the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali are participating.

Nepali Congress is represented by Vice President Dhanraj Gurung and General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, while the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) has delegated Secretariat members Barshaman Pun and Pampha Bhusal.

From the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Vice President Dr. Swarnim Wagle and former lawmaker Sobita Gautam are attending.

Similarly, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party is represented by Rajendra Gurung and Mohan Shrestha; the Janata Samajwadi Party, Nepal by Upendra Yadav and Prakash Adhikari; CPN (Unified Socialist) by Vice Chair Rajendra Pandey and Deputy General Secretary Prakash Jwala; the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party by Sarbendranath Shukla; the Nagarik Unmukti Party by Resham Chaudhary; the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party by Prem Suwal; and the Janamat Party by Chandan Singh.

Earlier, President Ramchandra Paudel and the Election Commission had held separate consultations with political parties regarding the upcoming elections.

Today’s meeting marks the first such dialogue initiated by Prime Minister Karki since assuming office.