“We have given the prime minister a deadline of Wednesday morning to decide whether he would administer oath to the ministers,” said Maoist Vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha, who is to lead the Maoist team in the coalition, after a meeting of the UCPN (Maoist) and the UML at the prime minister´s office at Singha Durbar Tuesday afternoon. [break]
As per his party´s Standing Committee decision earlier in the day, Khanal argued at the meeting that he could not do so as reshuffling the cabinet would mean giving continuity to the current coalition and that runs against the letter and spirit of the five-point deal.
“Our emphasis is on the implementation of the five-point deal and we should move toward that direction for the sake of peace and constitution,” said UML leader Pradip Gyawali.
But the Maoists argued that the appointment of new ministers would not disrupt the process of creating a national coalition government as provisioned in the five-point deal.
“It is not a reshuffling as such. We have just given full shape to the government as some of our ministers had not yet taken oath,” said Maoist Secretary CP Gajurel, who also participated in the meeting.
But Khanal argued that the appointments would work against creating a political environment of trust.
Disappointed by the prime minister´s response, the Maoist leaders issued him a deadline of Wednesday morning to give his final decision on the issue.
“We will hold a meeting of the party Standing Committee after we get the prime minister´s response, and take a decision accordingly,” said Gajurel. He also said that his party, to find a middle ground, has proposed administering oath to cabinet ministers now and to state ministers in another phase.
The party leaders stated that the prime minister should either resign or administer oath to the minister-nominees. “We are not against the formation of a national coalition government as we have already forwarded the name of party leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai as prime minister,” said a senior party leader.
How will new scenario unfold?
UML leaders accept in private that Khanal is likely to resign soon, to pave the way for a national consensus government as provisioned in the five-point deal. “Our response is likely to bruise the ego of the Maoists and induce them to formally withdraw support from the government. And this will lead to the resignation of the prime minister,” said a senior UML leader.
Party leader Pradip Gyawali argued that the UML would not step back from its stance irrespective of the consequences. According to sources, the prime minister is also in a mood to step down.
Minister Ghanashyam Bhusal, who is close to Khanal, stated that the prime minister would resign at an appropriate time. “The prime minister has neither pledged to cling to the position nor pledged to resign,” said Bhusal.
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