KATHMANDU, JAN 16 - Leaders of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML seemed clearly divided over the seven-point agenda forwarded by the king for new political solutions to the present turmoil in the country.
Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Poudel termed the king’s agenda as an attempt to prolong his hold in politics by forming a puppet government whereas CPN-UML leader Bam Dev Gautam said that his party was not in a position to criticise king’s fresh initiatives.
"We still believe that dialogue with the king is the only destination of our ongoing agitation since the agitation is against the royal takeover," said Gautam. "It will be improper to bar king from placing his conditions if we want dialogue with him."
According to Gautam, the king’s dualistic role—enjoying full executive power and expressing commitment to constitutional monarchy simultaneously—has added complications to the problems.
"If the king is serious about the problems, he should be ready to restore the normal political process than to put this and that conditions before the parties," Gautam said.
NC leader Poudel, however, said that the king should make a clear statement expressing his will to restore people’s rights and renounce active politics. "If the king does so, the Maoists could also be pressurised to seek an amicable solution.
Jog Mehar Shrestha of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and industrialist Bal Krishna Shrestha suggested the parties to take the king’s agenda in positive light and initiate collective endeavours for solution of the problems.
Outgoing chairman of the Nepal Bar Association, Sindhu Nath Pyakurel suggested to opt for a constituent assembly election as the only tool to assure full sovereignty to the people and let the Maoists a way for safe landing.Posted on: 2004-01-17 03:56

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