Parties singing from the same hymn sheet
KATHMANDU:
The Unified CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front, a loose alliance of five Madhes-based parties, are busy holding a series of bi- and multi-lateral talks for ‘formation of a unity government’, as required by the five-point deal reached on May 28.
The parliamentary Agreement Implementation Monitoring Special Committee which met today in the presence of the three signatories of the five-point deal — Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala and caretaker Prime Minister and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal — drew their attention towards the requirements of forming a unity government to conclude the peace and constitution-drafting processes, according to Speaker Subas Nembang, who chaired the meeting.
Sources said the three leaders had stressed on the need to form a unity government.
Dahal is said to have assured the committee members that they would reach an understanding for a unity government by tomorrow evening. “As the largest party in the Constituent Assembly, the UCPN-Maoist will play a bigger role,” sources quoted Dahal as saying.
“As far as rank determination of Maoist commanders is concerned, it is not a major issue as most of them will join politics,” sources quoted Dahal. “Peace process is not a problem, nor the combatants, but the politics in itself.” NC prime ministerial candidate Sher Bahadur Deuba also said he was ‘optimistic’ that they would be able to strike a deal on forming the next government on consensus basis. “This time, the Maoists have not treated us as a major political competitor,” said Deuba, adding, “They have proposed running unity governments on rotational basis, which is a positive sign.”
After meeting with UML, MJF-D Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar said they wanted to know which of the prime ministerial candidates — Maoists’ Baburam Bhattarai or NC’s Deuba — the UML would support.
“UML has a decisive role this time as it has not fielded its candidate,” said Gachhadar. “Our role comes later. We are waiting for the ball to be released from the UML to score,” added Gachhadar.
Source: THT
The Unified CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front, a loose alliance of five Madhes-based parties, are busy holding a series of bi- and multi-lateral talks for ‘formation of a unity government’, as required by the five-point deal reached on May 28.
The parliamentary Agreement Implementation Monitoring Special Committee which met today in the presence of the three signatories of the five-point deal — Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala and caretaker Prime Minister and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal — drew their attention towards the requirements of forming a unity government to conclude the peace and constitution-drafting processes, according to Speaker Subas Nembang, who chaired the meeting.
Sources said the three leaders had stressed on the need to form a unity government.
Dahal is said to have assured the committee members that they would reach an understanding for a unity government by tomorrow evening. “As the largest party in the Constituent Assembly, the UCPN-Maoist will play a bigger role,” sources quoted Dahal as saying.
“As far as rank determination of Maoist commanders is concerned, it is not a major issue as most of them will join politics,” sources quoted Dahal. “Peace process is not a problem, nor the combatants, but the politics in itself.” NC prime ministerial candidate Sher Bahadur Deuba also said he was ‘optimistic’ that they would be able to strike a deal on forming the next government on consensus basis. “This time, the Maoists have not treated us as a major political competitor,” said Deuba, adding, “They have proposed running unity governments on rotational basis, which is a positive sign.”
After meeting with UML, MJF-D Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar said they wanted to know which of the prime ministerial candidates — Maoists’ Baburam Bhattarai or NC’s Deuba — the UML would support.
“UML has a decisive role this time as it has not fielded its candidate,” said Gachhadar. “Our role comes later. We are waiting for the ball to be released from the UML to score,” added Gachhadar.
Source: THT
