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Govt gears up for budget battle
KATHMANDU, JUN 29 -
The ruling parties will resume consultations with the UCPN (Maoist) to break the political deadlock before starting the budget session of the parliament slated for July 5. However, the Maoists say they will not support any proposal, including the budget bill, before the prime minister resigns. The parties are wavering whether to go for consensus or continuation of the current majority system.
The parties decided to resume dialogue after the main opposition said it would not allow the House to hold its budget session. The meeting at Balkhu was attended by 12 ruling parties, including the Nepali Congress and an opposition party, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF). “We will talk to the Maoists to forge consensus on contentious issues,” said NC General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi. MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav was present at the meeting, but Chairman of the ruling MJF-Loktantrik and Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar was conspicuous by his absence.
A UML leader said the parties have also agreed to keep open the alternative for a “majority government” leaving intact the same coalition while also inducting MJF. About a consensus government (with Maoist leadership), the parties are insisting the Maoists must give concrete commitment on the integration and rehabilitation of combatants before July 5.
However, the Maoists say they will not allow the budget passage unless the prime minister resigns. “We will not let the government pass the budget unless our demand is met,” said Maoist leader Mohan Baidya. “We are not going to give in like last year.”
Gachhadar, in a separate meeting with UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, said if the big three fail to break the deadlock, the fringe parties should lead the new government on a majority basis.
“We don’t support Gachhadar as he is talking about a majority government which can never solve the political crisis. We must go for a consensus government taking together the Maoists,” said MJF Co-Chairman JP Gupta.
Meanwhile, Tarai Madhesh Loktantrik Party senior leader Brikesh Chandra Lal said that his party was “for a consensus government” and that it would not object to whoever leads the government.
Posted on: 2010-06-30 08:03
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