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Peace process: Political deadlock: Maoist party, NC the masterminds

KATHMANDU, JAN 09 -
A difference of opinion over the peace process and forms of governance between the UCPN (Maoist) and Nepali Congress is to blame for the present political deadlock.

The growing two-party trust deficit is likely to slow the peace and constitution drafting processes at least for some time. A would-be way-out to the present stalemate is to start fresh negotiations with sincerity to come to a point of compromise.

Bidding farewell to the PLA combatants opting for voluntary retirement in line with the Special Committee decision on January 1 is a bone of contention. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai seems reluctant to start this process. At the same time, NC has backtracked from its previous commitment served to the taskforce formed under the Dispute Resolution Subcommittee to adopt a mixed model system of governance.

No matter how hard the subcommittee tried to resolve contentious issues related to the new statute, Maoist hardliner leader Dev Gurung has opposed some decisions, fuelling the other parties’ fear that this is just a tactical move.

The Maoist party has come up with a new stand that the issue of rank determination of PLA fighters and forms of governance should be settled together to push both the processes forward. Some PLA commanders have pressed Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to secure a few top posts for them in the proposed directorate of the Nepal Army.

Former PLA chief and Finance Minister Barsa Man Pun has spoken in favour of such a demand. Dahal is reportedly not in a position to go against PLA commanders.

Maoist leaders say the rank determination process cannot go ahead without an agreement on forms of governance. The Maoist party’s official position is to push peace and constitution writing process simultaneously.

According to Politburo member Haribol Gajurel, NC’s change of position on forms governance may be a ploy to trap the largest party. He also claimed that a section of NC and UML, civil society members and Constitutional Committee Chairman Nilambar Acharya, holding a secret meeting at Kathmandu, concluded that NC should stick to parliamentary system.

In the teeth of such a stand, the Maoist leadership and Prime Minister Bhattarai are silent to cajole the Maoist hardline faction. Maoist leaders say Dahal was seeking a concession from ‘non-cooperative’ NC despite a fierce objection from within.

NC and UML are for putting off the remaining contentious issues of the constitution drafting without visible progress on the integration and rehabilitation of PLA combatants.

Both the parties have reached out to more than 16 fringe parties to press the Maoists, a move that is likely to trigger a polarisation.

Posted on: 2012-01-10 09:53

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