Khanal’s resignation: Uncertainty still prevails
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KATHMANDU, AUG 12 -
Uncertainty over Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal’s resignation continued on Thursday with the Maoists trying to persuade the PM to change his mind and the Nepali Congress remaining averse to any piecemeal deal to immediately start the regrouping process—that would have given the PM some face-saving room.
As we went to press on Thursday evening, Khanal was firm on his commitment to step down unless the Maoists offered a “breakthrough” in the peace process, according to prime ministerial aides.
“Whether the prime minister will resign or not hinges on the outcome of the three-party meeting on Friday,” the PM’s press advisor, Surya Thapa, said. Leaders of the three major parties will meet on Friday before the parliament session scheduled for 3 pm. In a meeting between Khanal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the PM’s residence on Thursday afternoon, Dahal assured the PM that he would come up with a regrouping roadmap before August 31. Dahal asked Khanal to reconsider his decision to resign by Aug 13.
“You should not resign without an agreement; this will create further complications,” Dahal told Khanal, according to a UML Cabinet member. “I have made a public commitment; I can’t back off now,” Khanal was quoted as saying in response. Some members of the Cabinet have even advised him to announce his resignation in Friday’s House session if there was no sign of progress.
The Maoists are also worried about legal and political complications the resignation may bring with respect to extending the Constituent Assembly’s term. A view has been circulating over the last week that the legality of the extension proposal tabled by a caretaker government can be questioned.
“We are mindful of the further uncertainty prime minister’s resignation can create,” said Maoist leader Barshaman Pun. “But we are trying to stitch together an agreement that would include the Congress in the government.” However, Nepali Congress leaders play down the questions of legality, a view also shared by some constitutional experts, including Purna Man Shakya.
The question of legality is being propagated by those who do not want Khanal to resign, said NC leader Minendra Rijal.
Earlier in the day, a meeting between NC President Sushil Koirala and Dahal ended in a similar stand-off. Koirala asked Dahal to support the NC’s claim to government leadership. “We have not been given the opportunity to lead the government since the CA elections,” Koirala told Dahal, according to aides. “We would like to be at the helm until the peace process is complete.”
Maoist politburo member Haribol Gajurel said Dahal requested NC leaders to support Baburam Bhattarai’s leadership in the national unity government.
Posted on: 2011-08-12 08:49
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