The UCPN (Maoist) has been obstructing the House to protest the Speaker´s decision to reject a resolution against what they call the “extra-constitutional” move by President Ram Baran Yadav to reinstate Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal. The Maoist party has stated that they would continue disrupting the House, besides hitting the streets, until the President´s move is corrected.
During talks with Maoist leaders Thursday morning, the UML had proposed to hold talks with other political parties including the Nepali Congress and find a middle ground within a month. But the Maoists insisted that the government immediately address their demand. “We told them that our demand should be immediately addressed. It should be addressed within 10 days if not within a week. We cannot give them an indefinite period of time,” said Maoist leader Dev Gurung.
In the evening the UML also held talks with the NC on the Maoist demand. But the NC leaders did not budge from their stance. “The issue of the President´s move and the army chief is already settled. There is no need for negotiations on those topics,” said NC Chief Whip Laxman Ghimire. “They cannot disrupt the House forever,” he added.
The UML will hold further talks with the NC and the Maoists Friday morning to end the deadlock. "The newly elected prime minister will address the House on Friday if we can make a breakthrough,” said UML Chief Whip Bhim Acharya.
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