“We will not hold talks with the government until the prime minister steps down,” said Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma after hours-long standing committee meeting at Paris Danda on Sunday. [break]
The Maoist response comes after the prime minister sent a letter to the Maoist party to come to the negotiating table to break the current political deadlock and forge national consensus. The prime minister sent the letter two days after the Maoists withdrew their indefinite general strike and a day after Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said “the ball is in the court of the ruling parties”.
Maoist leaders, however, termed the prime minister´s letter “abstract”.
According to Maoist vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha, the party standing committee meeting scheduled for Monday morning would deliberate on the issue in detail.
The standing committee Sunday also decided to decentralize the party´s struggle for peace, constitution, civilian supremacy, national independence and Maoist-led national government. The party will hold a centralized demonstration from May 25 by holding a huge demonstration and a rally in Kathmandu.
The Maoists have decided to make internal preparations until May 13, and train its cadres across the nation from May 15 to May 24.
Maoists have also concluded that the six-day nationwide general strike was historic, and the leadership decided to withdraw the strike “respecting the people´s sentiments”.
While thanking the people for participating in “janaandolan-3”, the party also accused the ruling parties of making it violent by mobilizing their party wings, vigilantes and Hindu extremists.
Maoists hold talks with fringe parties
Maoists held a meeting with fringe political parties asking their leaders to sign a statement demanding resignation of the prime minister to pave way for national consensus.
President of Chure Bhawar party Keshab Prasad Mainali, however, said, “But we told them that we would discuss the issue in our respective parties and sit for talks next day,” said Mainali. He said Maoist Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai urged them to back the Maoists to press the prime minister to tender resignation. The fringe political parties would meet the Maoist leaders on Monday afternoon.
Ten political parties, including Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Sarita Giri), Janata Dal, Nepa Rastriya Party, Janamukti Party, Nepal Parivar Dal and Chure Bhavar Rastriya Ekata Party, attended the meeting.
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