Kathmandu (dpa) - Nepalese political parties in talks on promulgating a new constitution failed to reach agreement as the deadline inched closer on Sunday.
The sides had until midnight (1800 GMT) to settle the disputed issue of state restructuring.
"The possibility of promulgating the constitution is over, as we have failed to reach an agreement,” Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal said. "We're discussing alternatives to it now.”
Politicians said they were faced with three options. They would either ask parliament to complete the task of drafting the constitution, or extend the term of the constituent assembly by declaring a state of emergency. A third option would be to call fresh elections.
Cabinet was expected to announce the options.
The area outside the Constituent Assembly remained crowded all day with various groups calling for a new constitution. Some demonstrators who tried to enter the cordoned off area clashed with the police.
The Constituent Assembly has had its two-year term extended four times since it was first elected in 2008, two years after the end of a decade-long civil conflict with Maoist rebels.
Political parties have been unable to bridge their differences on sticking points like how to demarcate and name the new federal states, which will be enshrined in the constitution.
dpa pt bve
The sides had until midnight (1800 GMT) to settle the disputed issue of state restructuring.
"The possibility of promulgating the constitution is over, as we have failed to reach an agreement,” Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal said. "We're discussing alternatives to it now.”
Politicians said they were faced with three options. They would either ask parliament to complete the task of drafting the constitution, or extend the term of the constituent assembly by declaring a state of emergency. A third option would be to call fresh elections.
Cabinet was expected to announce the options.
The area outside the Constituent Assembly remained crowded all day with various groups calling for a new constitution. Some demonstrators who tried to enter the cordoned off area clashed with the police.
The Constituent Assembly has had its two-year term extended four times since it was first elected in 2008, two years after the end of a decade-long civil conflict with Maoist rebels.
Political parties have been unable to bridge their differences on sticking points like how to demarcate and name the new federal states, which will be enshrined in the constitution.
dpa pt bve
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