The two major parties in power, Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML, and the main opposition party, UCPN (Maoist), have set the agenda for talks to end the seven-month long political deadlock and take the peace process to a logical conclusion. Among other things, the six-point agenda aims to settle the differences between the parties in power and the Maoists on President Ram Baran Yadav’s move to block Maoist-led government’s decision to sack Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal. While NC and UML maintain that the president did nothing wrong by blocking the then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s decision to sack Katawal, the UCPN (Maoist) has consistently maintained that it was an ‘unconstitutional move’. The other prime agenda for the talks include settling the issue of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants.
Regarding the Katawal issue, we have always maintained that it was the then Maoist-led government that first made the mistake by not forwarding the proposal to dismiss the army chief to the president as required by the constitution. However, since the Maoists have made this an ego issue, they too are in no position to just give it up. As things stand now, there are two possible ways to resolve this quagmire. One, as CP Mainali suggested, come up with a statement in parliament, which says that this instance of an executive head of government unilaterally sacking the army chief and the president blocking it won’t become a precedent. Two, pass a joint resolution motion against the incumbent government that revoked Dahal’s decision to sack Katawal and endorsed the president’s decision to block the then PM’s move. Resorting to any one of the two options would serve multiple purposes: It will address the Maoists’ demand to address the president’s move without going against the other parties’ stand that the president’s move cannot be discussed in parliament.
Regarding the issue of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants, we at Republica believe that the parties should abide by the 12-point understanding and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Period!
There were hopes that the parties would reach an understanding immediately after Dashain, which sadly did not happen. Then, the people were made to believe that an understanding would be reached post-Tihar. Even that did not materialize. In the meantime, the Maoists have launched the fourth phase of their protest program, which would culminate into an indefinite strike beginning Jan 24. The common people have suffered enough. In the interest of the nation and the people, the parties must settle all issues this time around and get down to writing the constitution before the Constituent Assembly’s mandate expires on May 28.