The Maoists held a separate meeting with the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML on Sunday, but the meetings ended inclusively after the Maoists demanded that the parties agree on the formation of a Maoist-led government and a joint resolution motion stating that President Dr Ram Baran Yadav´s move to reinstate then army chief Rookmangud Katawal was unconstitutional.
"The Maoists suddenly came up with a proposal seeking an agreement in a package that includes change of government. With the proposal the situation has now become complicated and solution elusive," said NC leader Arjun Narsingh KC after a meeting with the Maoists at Hotel Summit in the capital on Sunday evening.
But the NC leaders turned down the Maoist proposal saying the Maoists should follow the legal procedures to form a new government. The Maoists then demanded that the joint resolution motion unambiguously mention that the president´s move was unconstitutional, if the current political deadlock is to end.
However, the NC leaders rejected the Maoist proposal arguing that they are against making accusations against the ceremonial head of state and dragging him into controversy. "After scores of meetings we were close to deal, but the Maoists suddenly came up with a new demand," added KC.
Maoist Vice-chair Narayankaji Shrestha said the proposal for a Maoist-led government is not a new one. "We have been demanding it for long. But it doesn´t mean that we are for forming a Maoist-led government quitting our demand for a resolution motion," he said.
"What we proposed additionally in the meeting is that we seek solution in entirety as the country is in deep crisis," he said. He argued that a Maoist-led national unity government is a must to write a new constitution and take the peace process is to its logical end.
Earlier in the day, the Maoists held a meeting with the UML leaders at Dr Baburam Bhattrai´s residence at Baneshwor and sought an agreement in a package. Afterwards, the UML and NC also held a meeting at the latter´s parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar to deliberate the Maoist proposal. "The Maoists´ new proposal has turned the political situation worse," said UML leader Keshab Badal.
Till Sunday, the parties had agreed to address the Maoist demand through a resolution motion in the legislature-parliament, but had differed over the words to be used in the resolution draft. On Thursday, Maoist leader Dev Gurung had said that the resolution draft proposed by NC and UML was a step closer to the deal and demanded that the language of the draft be made more specific. The ruling parties´ proposal stated:
"The interim constitution of Nepal 2063 BS has recognized the president as the constitutional head of the state. The legislature-parliament makes a commitment to make the institution more dignified and keep it free from controversy and clarify the ambiguities seen here and there, besides expressing firm commitment not to repeat any mistake."
According to NC leader KC, top leaders of the three largest political parties, including NC President Girija Prasad Koirala, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, are likely to meet soon, probably on Monday, to settle the issue. The ruling 22 political parties are also scheduled to meet on Monday to deliberate on the latest political development.
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Maoists to announce protest on Tuesday
Maoists´ Joint Mass Movement Nepal is all set to announce a series of strident protest programs on Tuesday, demanding the formation of a Maoist-led government and restoration of "civilian supremacy". "But the protest would be launched only if the ongoing parleys failed to yield result by Nov 1," said Maoist Spokesperson Dinanath Sharma. He said that the chance of the ruling parties addressing the Maoist demand is getting slimmer by the day. "The forces within the NC and UML advocating consensus are getting weaker, while the rightists are getting stronger," said Sharma. But he added that the party would always be open for dialogues.
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