Dahal announced to pull out of the race following a three-point deal with the third-largest party in parliament, CPN-UML, on Saturday upon the latter´s request. In return, UML agreed not to participate in voting for a new PM. [break]
As UCPN-M and UML combined have about 350 votes, a majority in the House, continuation of NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel´s candidacy makes no sense.
But the process will not move forward unless Paudel agrees to withdraw his candidacy as well. And therein lies the catch.
To break the political stalemate and to move forward, the political parties will now have to go back to the negotiating table and reach consensus on all contentious issues.
Irrespective of the likelihood of pressure mounting on him in the days ahead, Paudel is not going to pull out of the race without reaching comprehensive agreement with the Maoists and UML.
"The way Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal´s resignation further complicated the situation, withdrawal of candidacy may invite a similar situation," a leader quoted NC leaders as saying.
UML Spokesman Pradip Gyawali said NC´s argument can´t simply be brushed aside. He said it demands agenda-based dialogues and understandings on crucial issues.
One of the major sticking points in the past negotiations has been on how to move forward with the peace process. Luckily, there has been some progress on this issue and this precisely gives some hope that the parties will be able to chart a common course ahead.
Apart from detaching the UCPN-M from its combatants, the NC has been insisting that the numbers of PLA to be integrated into national security forces and others wishing to be rehabilitated in the society must be determined prior to Maoist leading the government.
"We have no problem in accepting Maoist-led government but only after they completely detach their party from its arms and armies and renounce violence," NC candidate Poudel said on Friday following Dahal´s announcement to quit the prime ministerial race.
The Maoists´ agreement in principle to disassociate the PLA from the party and place it under the Special Committee formed for supervision, integration and rehabilitation of the combatants may help settle the issues.
If the parties succeed in taking the peace process ahead smoothly by resolving contentious issues, the Maoists may be on their way to leading the new government.
"If we can accomplish the first phase of the tasks of integration and rehabilitation process by regrouping the combatants into two categories -- those to be integrated into security forces and others desiring for rehabilitation in society -- in the next one or two months, Maoist leadership can be accepted," Gyawali said.
Given the complications, the present caretaker government will continue to remain in power for a couple of weeks more if not months.
thira@myrepublica.com
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