E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, JAN 01 -

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has offered a new hope to people waiting for another breakthrough in the staggering peace process. On Saturday, he said the People’s Liberation Army combatants, who have opted for voluntary retirement, will soon bid goodbye to their cantonments.

“The Special Committees formed for the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants has formed a 12-day calendar for this process. The combatants who have opted for integration, voluntary retirement and rehabilitation will  soon be bidden farewell,” said an optimistic Dahal at BP Museum in Sundarijal on the occasion of National Reconciliation Day organised by the Nepali Congress to mark the return of BP Koirala from exile in India 35 years ago. 

Dahal urged all parties to work for the conclusion of constitution drafting and peace process and said he is ready to take the lead, pledging national unity and reconciliation for the completion of the peace and statute drafting.

Saying that he and BP share many historical similarities and both were robbed by “conspiring forces” while serving as the prime minister of the country, Dahal recalled that BP served in jail for 10 years amid his fight for democracy. Likening himself to the great leader, he stressed that he had led the decade-long “people’s war” for citizens’ supremacy. “He will forever remain my source of inspiration as he has always been,” said an apologetic Dahal, who rued his occasional slips of tongue in the past, which landed him in much trouble. “I have faced significant amount of wrath and scepticism for my uncontrolled flow of emotion during public speeches. I will refrain from such discourse now on,” said the Maoist chairman, who also pledged honesty on behalf of political leaders for achieving national goals.

NC President Sushil Koirala on the occasion said Dahal has the historical responsibility of leading the peace process and constitution writing. Koirala said that the death of Girija Prasad Koirala has put more responsibilities on Dahal and that he should be ready to sacrifice and take bold decisions for the realisation of popular aspiration. Speaking at the programme, CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli, ML Leader CP Mainali, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Pashupati Shumser JBR and other leaders urged national unity and mutual trust.

Ironically, the Nepali Congress has been marking the reconciliation day nationwide amid vertical divisions and factionalism within the party.

Nepali Congress organises reconciliation day events

Meanwhile, in Makwanpur, NC central member Mahesh Acharya said the ongoing peace process could not be concluded without reconciliation, cooperation and unity among the major political

parties. Addressing a national reconciliation day ceremony in Hetauda, Acharya said inter- and intra-party disputes can be resolved only through reconciliation and unity.

NC General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula underscored reconciliation among party leaders and activists for the success of the grand old party.

Speaking at a programme organised to pay respects to late Rishimaya Poudel, the mother of NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel in Ratnanagar, Chitwan, on Saturday, Sitaula urged party cadres to be united.

The party organised programmes in Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa and Parbat, among other districts, to observe the reconciliation day.

Posted on: 2012-01-01 08:58

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