Intra-party dynamics scuttling chances
Prospect of consensus on peace, statute strong
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KATHMANDU, AUG 23 -
Negotiation fatigue is setting in among the top leaders, beset as they are by their own efforts to form a consensus government as intra-party dynamics play out against chances of finding agreement on the name of the next prime minister.
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal admitted on Monday that “intra-party” issues as opposed to “inter-party” differences are forestalling a unity government for now, but insisted that the parties
have agreed to find consensus on peace process, even if a majority government were to be formed.
Speaking to reporters at his residence in Nayabazar, Dahal said his party’s candidate Baburam Bhattarai will become the next prime minister and sought to dispel doubts about whether he had whole-heartedly supported Bhattarai’s bid. He appeared confident that the parties would converge on the issues of peace and constitution writing. “All parties have agreed seek consensus on peace and constitution writing, even within a majoritarian government,” said Dahal.
Dahal also said that his party has reached understanding with Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala to move ahead on the issues of peace and constitution in unison irrespective of what type of government comes in place. “Sushilji is upbeat about forging consensus on peace and the constitution after we
adopted a flexible stance on the integration process,” Dahal said adding that NC has responded positively to the Maoists’ latest proposal on integration and rehabilitation.
The Standing Committee meeting of the Maoists on Saturday had decided to demonstrate flexibility on numbers, norms, rank determination and rehabilitation package, the key contentious issues of the integration process.
According to Dahal, there are no real problems about number and norms as the parties have agreed to integrate 7,000 combatants and the Maoists have committed to fulfil the norms of Nepal Army with some flexibility on age, martial status and education.
On rank determination, the most contentious issue in integration, Dahal said it would not be a big problem as PLA commanders who are in the party’s politburo and Central Committee would join politics—instead of being integrated.
He also said that differences over the size of the rehabilitation package have been settled but he did not go into numbers.
Dismissing NC’s demand for handing over weapons in exchange for government leadership, Dahal said that the demand was against spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). “After the completion of the regrouping process, which could last a month, the weapons will automatically come under government control.”
On issues in constitution writing, Dahal said the differences were nominal as the parties have agreed in principle on a federal system.
Posted on: 2011-08-23 08:22
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