“The ruling parties had agreed on May 28 that the prime minister would resign within five days. But now they say the prime minister would step down only after the other issues of the peace process are settled. That is against the agreement,” said Maoist Vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha, who participated in the Monday meeting. [break]
Earlier in the morning, the Maoist Standing Committee decided to step up talks with the ruling parties only if the latter agree on the resignation of the prime minister within five days from the date of CA term extension. “We reached a conclusion that the meetings would be meaningless if they link the prime minister´s resignation with other issues,” said Shrestha.
But the NC and UML said they had not agreed that the prime minister would quit before reaching agreements in principle on the issues in the peace process and before forming a calendar of implementation for the agreements.
“We had agreed that the prime minister would resign only after forging an agreement in principle to conclude the peace process and write the constitution. We don´t want any confusion that puts the peace process in a difficult situation,” said NC leader Arjun Narsingh KC, who participated in the meeting.
According to KC, the Maoists must reach an agreement with the ruling parties on the issues of integration and rehabilitation of their combatants, dismantling the semi-military structure of the YCL and the return of seized properties. “There is a question about the intention of the Maoists,” he said.
However, Shrestha argued that his party is ready in any case to reach an agreement on issues related to the peace process and constitution-drafting within five days.
“There could be an agreement in a couple of days or it may take a few days more. After all, the peace process cannot move ahead without forging an agreement on these issues. Our only objection is that they are now taking to their previous stance that the prime minister would not resign without striking a deal on the issues,” said Shrestha.
The Maoists have stated that the ruling parties started misinterpreting the agreement right from the next day of the CA term extension. “We told them about this at Sunday´s meeting and they became positive about the resignation. The meeting ended on a positive note. But today they talk differently,” said Shrestha.
Top leaders of the three largest political parties other than Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal were present at the meeting held at the International Conference Center at New Baneshwar. The Maoists are holding a meeting with 23 political parties other than the NC and UML on the current political situation, on Tuesday.
Maoists harp on favorable points only: Poudel
NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel said at the legislature-parliament that Maoist Chairman Dahal had told the NC and UML on Sunday that he would consult party men on the norms and standards for integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants, and the numbers to be integrated into the state forces.
“But he was absent from today´s meeting and other leaders of his party demanded resignation of the prime minister first,” said Poudel. He alleged that the Maoists have focused on the point of the agreement that benefit them, and neglected the others.
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