But the NC leaders told the Maoists that they cannot support a Maoist-led consensus government until the latter removes mistrust by implementing the first point of the deal reached just ahead of the Constituent Assembly (CA) term extension. [break]
The first point of the deal states that the Maoists would cooperate in concluding the remaining tasks of the peace process and constitution drafting.
“They said that the NC cannot support us until we implement the first point of the May 28 deal. We replied that this cannot be completed in the next four days and asked them to support us instead, but to no avail,” said Maoist leader Narayankaji Shrestha after the meeting.
During the meeting, the NC leaders asked the Maoists to play a constructive role as the opposition party. “You should play a constructive role as the opposition party if you don´t join the government,” NC general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi told Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Dahal had earlier assured that his party would cooperate and play a constructive role as the opposition party.
NC and UML have maintained that the Maoists should fix the number of combatants to be integrated into the state forces and present a calendar of events before they stake claim on government leadership. They also presented a proposal on the integration of the combatants.
The Maoist leaders said in the meeting that the NC proposal was too rigid and not likely to lead to consensus.
All options open: Maoists
On Saturday morning, the Maoist standing committee had decided to support any leader, from inside or outside the party, to become the next prime minister.
“We will attempt to form a consensus government till the last hour for the sake of peace and constitution,” Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said.
There is intra-party tussle between Dahal and Maoist vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai over who should lead the next government. The party had decided to keep the options open as Dahal could not garner consensus from the political parties for his candidacy.
The legislature-parliament is holding a vote on July 21 to pick a prime minister. The Maoists will hold a politburo meeting on July 20 to decide the party´s future course of action.
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