Nearly five-month long row over the nomination of office bearers has been settled amicably in the party on Friday following an understanding between President Sushil Koirala and senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba. What message has this given to the party?
The amicable resolution of the row surrounding the party´s office bearers has given a positive message both within and outside the party. NC had split into two parties in the past. Though the late Girija Prasad Koirala took initiative to unify the two parties we could not hold the general convention when he was still alive. We have successfully held the 12th general convention and leaders contested for party positions zealously. New officer bearers have been elected; elected bodies of the party have been formed. The settlement of the row over office bearers´ has given the message that the party leaders are capable to settle the organizational disputes through discussions and mutual understanding. It is natural to have differences and debates in a democratic party. We should be able to handle them properly.
It is said that there has been an understanding between the two leaders to replace parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel with Sher Bahadur Deuba in lieu of the support Deuba faction extended to endorse nomination of vice president and general secretary. What had happened actually?
This is an internal issue of the party. I do not think others need to raise questions about it. However, the issue so far has not been discussed formally within the party. I believe that all three leaders [President Sushil Koirala, senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel] will be able to settle the issue through consensus.
Many people say that the peace process is at risk. What is your assessment?
Maoists must abide by all the agreements that have been reached since 12-point understanding honestly. They must demonstrate their sincerity in implementing these agreements to take the peace process forward. We can achieve peace and new constitution only if we follow the road map prepared by the late Girija Prasad Koirala. This can only help ensure stability and sustainable peace in the country. NC maintains that the peace process should be concluded first and then the CA should promulgate the new constitution.
Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal has said that his government will conclude the peace process and promulgating a new constitution. Any comment?
I don´t think that the current government will be able to address the problems facing the country. The government formed through a secret deal between Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Jhalanath Khanal itself will pose hindrance to successful conclusion of the peace process and constitution drafting. It isn´t possible to conclude the peace process and constitution drafting without involvement of all major parties.
It has been almost 100 days since Khanal-led majority government was formed. But his cabinet is yet to get full shape. Consensus with parties is not possible through secret deals. All agreements should be done in transparent manner. The seven-point deal has raised various kinds of suspicions. Neither Prime Minister Khanal nor Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been able to allay those concerns.
Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has proposed deferring the line of revolt and focus on concluding peace and statute. How will this affect the ongoing peace process and constitution drafting?
Sitaula: We reached all the agreements including the 12-point understanding and Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) for peace and new constitution. But there was deviation on these agreements on the part of Maoists after the CA election. The decisions the Maoists took at their Palungtar plenum had raised serious questions on their commitment to the peace process. It is good to learn that Chairman Dahal has proposed in the party´s central committee to defer the revolt line and focus on peace process and constitution drafting. However, we have yet to see formal endorsement of Dahal´s proposal. There is no alternative to concluding the ongoing peace process and constitution drafting process.
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