E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, AUG 28 - Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, which has emerged the kingmaker in Sunday’s prime ministerial election, has said that it will support Maoist candidate Baburam Bhattarai only if the latter agrees to amend his party’s proposal on peace and constitution that was unveiled on Thursday.

According to Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Ganatantrik leader Raj Kishore Yadav, the alliance has decided to forward an amendment to UCPN (Maoist) on the latter’s proposal on peace, constitution and government, which includes fixing the number of combatants to be integrated at 6,000, rank determination instead of harmonisation, no combat role for integrated fighters and finalising the rehabilitation package on consensus basis.

Reacting to amendment proposal, Maoist senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya said the numbers were not an issue, and that it could be discussed. He, however, rejected any compromise on the spirit of the proposal floated by his party. “We are not in favour of leading the government by surrendering all our agenda,” said Baidya.

“But we are ready to clear any ambiguities in the language of the proposal.” Baidya insisted that the combatants should have combat roles after integration.

Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha became a decisive bloc in the election for prime minister scheduled for Sunday, after the CPN-UML decided on Saturday to vote for the Nepali Congress. 

The Morcha, that comprises five Madhes-based parties, is yet to take a formal decision on whom to support in the ongoing race. “Though many lawmakers from Madhes-based parties are in favour of supporting Baburam Bhattarai, the leaders are having a tough time taking a decision in this regard,” said political analyst Chandra Kishore. “The difficulty is that in the past the leadership has talked of supporting a democratic alliance.” However, a source privy to dynamics within the Morcha claimed that the alliance could lend support to the Maoists for a month and see how issues of peace and constitution making along with issues of Madhes are addressed. If there is no progress, it could withdraw support. This would keep the Morcha intact and also placate the ambitions of lawmakers, said the source/

Though speculation is rife that the alliance could split while casting its votes, Madhesi leaders maintain that the Morcha would take a unanimous decision on its support to the candidate. The meeting of the alliance on Saturday evening decided to authorise all party chairmen of constitutent parties to take a decision. The Morcha is scheduled to meet on Sunday morning to take a final call.

Earlier on Saturday, MJF-G Chairman Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta said the Madhesi alliance could support Baburam Bhattarai provided some amendment in the Maoist proposal takes place. Speaking to reporters at Singha Durbar, he said Nepali Congress and CPN-UML do not have clear drafts for concluding the peace process and constitution.

Posted on: 2011-08-28 08:53

Post Your Comment

Please note that all the fields marked * are mandatory.
* Full Name
* Address
* Email Address
* Comment
* Captcha	Get another CAPTCHA code
Note:	Comments containing abusive words or slander shall not be published.