Controversy over conflict-ERA PROPERTY DEALS
- PM ‘scraps’ decision; House back to business
Opposition parties on Thursday allowed parliament to resume after 23 days of obstruction. The resumption followed the government’s decision to backtrack from its decision to legalise conflict-era land transactions. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai addressed Thursday’s House session and announced that the Cabinet’s decision of January 12 was “no longer in existence.”
The government stopped short of calling it a withdrawal—masking it in a convoluted language—possibly to avoid drawing the ire of Maoist hardliners who had instructed Bhattarai and the party leadership to stick to the decision. The property transactions had been sanctioned by the parallel government operated by the Maoists during the insurgency.
The Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML have been blocking parliamentary proceedings since January 17, demanding the government scrap the decision.
“By considering the stay order issued by the Supreme Court and the parliament obstruction by the opposition parties, today’s Cabinet has decided not to keep the decision in existence any longer. The decision will not to implemented,” Bhattarai said. “The government will make positive efforts and take a decision within a week to solve problems faced by the peasants.”
Early on Thursday, the Cabinet agreed to revise the decision by adopting a ‘constructively ambiguous’ language in the text to allow facing both the government and the opposition. Bhattarai was under pressure from opposition parties to include the term ‘withdrawal,’ while hardliners in his party wanted the government to abide by the decision. Though the opposition leaders welcomed Thursday’s decision, they cautioned the government against similar ‘misadventure’ in the future. With Thursday’s truce between the government and the opposition parties, political parties are likely to resume constructive engagement in the peace and constitution drafting processes in light of the fast approaching deadline of May 27.
Bhattarai regreted that the row over the conflict-era land transactions had hit the peace and constitution making processes and called upon other parties to concentrate on the twin mission.
“All of us are in the same boat of peace and constitution. We will all sink if it capsizes,” he said. “None of us can cross the vast ocean if we try to swim alone,” he added.
In his 16-minute address, the PM claimed the decision to legalise the transactions was taken with a ‘good intention’ and that the government had revised its decision to end the stalemate. He promised to offer an alternative to the peasants and expressed hope that his commitments would satisfy agitating lawmakers.
Opposition Chief Whip Laxman Ghimire said the House welcomed the PM’s commitment. “We would like to caution the government against making any attempt to legalise the seized land and property while taking an alternative decision within a week,” Ghimire said.
The House session scheduled for 3 pm was delayed for two hours following differences in the Maoist party over the revocation of the decision. Hardliners were taken into confidence by assuring that the party would voice its concerns against the government’s decision.
Maoist lawmaker Janardan Sharma criticised the government’s decision, saying that it had failed to offer any solution. “The land deals endorsed by the people’s government were not executed by using force. People voluntarily carried out the transactions because they felt insecure visiting the districts,” he said. “If the government keeps this problem in its current status, it will be unfortunate and unacceptable.”
In his address, the PM also said he did not deliver any statement about the threat of Nepal’s ‘merger’ into neighbouring countries. “China and India are making a tsunami of economic progress and citing this I had told reporters that if we lag behind Nepal could be economically submerged,” he said.
Bhattarai must go, say hardliners
KATHMANDU: Hardliners in the Maoist party led by Vice—chairman Mohan Baidya on Thursday demanded Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai step down for allegedly failing to implement party policies.
In a Standing Committee meeting of the party, party Secretary CP Gajurel, a key member of the hardline camp, argued that since the PM failed to implement the party’s policies, including the one related to land transactions sanctioned by the party’s parallel government during the insurgency, he should resign. Gajurel also said the possibility of a national unity government taking shape under Bhattarai does not exist. However, leaders close to Bhattarai disagree on this. “Since the peace and constitution writing processes are moving forward, there is no need for the prime minister to step down,” said PM’s Chief Political Advisor Devendra Paudel. He said a national unity government will be formed under Bhattarai. (PR)
Posted on: 2012-02-10 10:15
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