KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s discussions with political parties have continued longer than expected.

After holding four hours of talks earlier in the day with the Gen Z representatives, Karki began discussions with political parties at 4 p.m., which have extended for several more hours.

According to government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, the meeting includes leaders from 11 political parties represented in the dissolved House of Representatives.

“The dialogue will continue for some more time as party leaders are speaking one by one,” Kharel said. “In the first phase, all leaders have already spoken, and the session is nearing its conclusion.”

Kharel added that all leaders have focused their remarks on the upcoming elections.

“There seems to be consensus on going to elections,” he said. “Leaders have emphasized the need for the government to ensure a secure environment for the polls.”

However, CPN (UML) leaders General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali expressed doubts over whether the current government is capable of conducting elections.

Despite their skepticism, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat confirmed that they did not oppose holding elections.

Representing the UML in the meeting are Shankar Pokharel and Pradeep Gyawali.

In the earlier meeting called by the President, Ishwar Pokharel and Shankar Pokharel had participated from the UML.

From the Nepali Congress, Vice President Dhanraj Gurung and General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa are attending.

Previously, Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka and Thapa had represented the party in the President’s talks.

The Maoist Centre is represented by Secretariat members Barshaman Pun and Pampha Bhusal, while the previous presidential meeting had included Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Pun.

From the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Vice President Dr. Swarnim Wagle and former MP Sobita Gautam are present, while acting party president DP Aryal had joined the previous presidential dialogue.

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party is represented by Rajendra Gurung and Mohan Shrestha.

Similarly, Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal leaders Upendra Yadav and Prakash Adhikari are participating.

Loktantrik Samajwadi Party’s Sarbendra Nath Shukla, Nagarik Unmukti Party’s Resham Chaudhary, Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party’s Prem Suwal, and Janamat Party’s Chandan Singh are also attending.

Earlier, both the President and the Election Commission had held separate discussions with the political parties regarding the upcoming elections.

Prime Minister Karki initiated this round of talks on behalf of the government.