Nembang said he has already begun discussions with leaders from various political parties including ministers and the chief whips of ruling parties, in the changed context.
“I am shocked. It is very unfortunate that the opposition parties have announced protest programs at a time when serious efforts for forging consensus are the need of the hour and were much expected,” said Nembang.
On Monday, he had talks with Minister for Law, Justice and CA Affairs Narahari Acharya, NC Chief Whip Chinkaji Shrestha and UML Chief Whip Agni Kharel, among other leaders involved in interparty negotiations.
He seemed to be in no mood to wait any longer. “I will expedite the discussions without wasting further time because we have an urgency to decide what to do next and we will certainly conclude this soon,” he said.
He urged the opposition parties to rethink their protest plans.
The 30-party alliance led by the UCPN (Maoist) on Sunday announced month-long protests including a general strike for four days. They have decided not only to boycott programs attended by the prime minister or other ministers but also to obstruct them from arriving at the venues.
The alliance has also declared they will not pay taxes to the government.
Let the people decide: Nembang
Sources at the CA secretariat informed that Nembang was much disappointed by the nature of protest programs announced by the opposition.
The opposition alliance has said that they would keep the door for talks open even as they take to the streets. But leaders from the ruling parties termed this ridiculous.
They said the opposition parties’ protests may lead politics along the path of confrontation. “How can they sit for talks with the prime minister, whom they have announced they will greet with black flags?” said NC Chief Whip Shrestha.
Leaders from the ruling coalition said that the opposition’s declaration not to pay taxes was ridiculous.
“Can a major opposition party that is considered a government in waiting declare not to pay taxes to the incumbent government? This is such a ridiculous announcement,” said leaders close to Nembang. They said there are several leaders from the UCPN (Maoist) and Madhes-based and other opposition parties who head parliamentary committees and other bodies and enjoy ministerial level facilities from state coffers.
“Such announcements are made only in a situation when political forces fight against the existing political system and the aim is to overthrow the system itself,” said a leader.
Shrestha described the opposition alliance’s decision as a betrayal of the ruling parties. “We agreed to stall the CA procedures for an indefinite period upon the request of the opposition parties. In response we expected that they would reciprocate by stalling their protests as well,” Shrestha told Republica. “But, to our surprise, they have announced further aggressive protests.”
He said the ruling coalition will decide its next course after holding discussions among the coalition partners.
On March 12, Nembang deferred the CA meeting until further notice upon a proposal by the opposition parties. Since then, no CA sittings have been convened.
