The party took the decision at the politburo meeting arguing that the ruling parties failed to implement the three-point deal reached on May 28. [break]
“The ruling parties misinterpreted the deal; they lack political morality and honesty. We will not allow the tabling of government policy and programs and budget until the incumbent government is converted into a caretaker one,” said Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at a news conference held to inform the media about the decision of the politburo, which concluded on Friday.
Party should lead consensus govt: Bhattarai
When journalists asked Dahal if the party has opened the option for another party leader to head the national government, Dahal asked Vice-chairman Dr Bhattarai to reply to the query.
“I have already answered this question. Comrade Bhattarai has also been touted as prime ministerial candidate, so he will answer it,” Dahal said.
The meeting decided to stake claim over the government leadership, but did not pick any leader as party´s prime ministerial candidate. A few weeks back, the party´s top office bearers had decided that none other than chairman Dahal would head the consensus government.
There was a serious dispute between Dahal and Bhattarai over who should be brought forward as the party´s prime ministerial candidate. The politburo was postponed for two days to settle the issue.
Leaders close to Bhattarai had vociferously demanded that the party be open about Dahal´s alternative for prime ministerial candidate to pave the way for a consensus government. The party has now taken a middle-path approach to settle the dispute.
“The party should lead the national government; I have no disagreement with the party decision. When it has been stated that the party should head the government, it´s naturally the party chairman. The party´s official view is that it would be better to let Dahal lead the government, and I too share the same view. At this juncture however we have decided not to name the candidate. We will take appropriate decision as and when needed,” said Bhattarai.
As Bhattarai was not very much clear in his answer, journalists again asked the same question to Dahal.
“It is clear that Maoist party should head the government and there is no dispute that the party chairman would head the government,” said Dahal. But he added that the party would settle the candidate issue only after it becomes certain that the party will head the government.
All combatants should be integrated into state forces
At a time when the ruling parties are demanding that the Maoists fix the number of combatants to be integrated into the state security forces prior to the resignation of the prime minister, the Maoist party has decided that all combatants should be integrated into state forces.
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) treats the Nepal Army and People´s Liberation Army (PLA) equally; the CPA´s spirit is that the Nepal Army should be democratized and PLA professionalized before creating a new force through integration,” said Dahal.
He said the CPA doesn´t specify the integration numbers. “The spirit of the CPA is that all UNMIN-verified combatants are qualified for integration,” he added. The party has decided to take the integration process, peace process and constitution-drafting process side by side.
Parallel governments to be revived
The Maoist party has decided to revive "people´s government" from the central to local levels. Dahal said the party took the decision in view of rapid surge in cases of corruption and price hike, and poor law and order situation.
The politburo also decided to postpone the general convention slated for February next year and instead hold a plenum this September.
Meanwhile, the party has stated that the decision to call back the leaders headed for the US would not affect the party´s relations with that country. Dissatisfied over the refusal of a visa to Maoist leader Agni Sapkota, the party on Friday decided to call back all members of the party who flew for the US on Thursday to take part in a discussion in Boston.
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