About Us Advertise Feedback Contact Web www.ekantipur.com Sept 19 | PM Koirala hopes Maoists will rejoin govt | | Badi women stage sit-in at Maitighar Mandala | | Britain pledges US $8 m for Nepal peace process | | Qatar to deport 412 Nepalis | | India wants solution in Nepal through consensus | | NT cuts mobile-to-mobile distance charges | | 51 'retired' staff still in service: Palace | Ashoj 2 , NST: 4:05:43 PM Wed Home Features Columns Sports Archive Search Video Archive Photo Feature Photo Archive Global Nepali Nepali Associations Diaspora Speaks News & Events Nepali Media Worldwide NSS Newsletter By Rajesh KC Click to enlarge Have Your Say View discussion on above topic British Minister Malik calls on Maoist leader Dr Bhattarai Kantipur Report KATHMANDU, Sept 19 - A day after the Maoist quit the eight-party government, visiting British International Development Minister for Asian Affairs Shahid Malik met with Maoist second-in-command Dr Baburam Bhattarai at the latter's residence at Nayabazaar in the capital Wednesday. During the meeting, the duo discussed Maoist decisions to quit the government and launch street agitation. Malik expressed concern over the Maoist decisions as they could disrupt the peace process, Maoist sources said. He also informed that his country would try its best to assist the on-going peace process in Nepal. Dr Bhattarai informed that the Maoists would not derail the peace process, sources added. "If the country is declared a republic and agreement is reached on the proportional electoral system, the current crisis would be resolved immediately," Dr Bhattarai was quoted as saying by the source. British Ambassador to Nepal, Andrew Hall and the chief of DFID (Department for International Development)-Nepal Mark Mallalieu were also present during the meeting. The British Minister has dubbed the Maoist moves as “unfortunate” and has hoped that the parties would soon reach a new agreement in a few days. Speaking at a meeting with the local leaders of the eight parties in Biratnagar yesterday, Malik had opined that if the CA elections scheduled for November 22 are not held, then the political parties would not only lose the faith of Nepali citizens but also of the international communities. “Such a condition would be tragic for Nepal,” Malik had said.