A two-hour meeting of the top leaders held at NC President Girija Prasad Koirala´s residence at Maharajgunj on Friday morning formed the HLPC under Koirala´s chairmanship. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal are members of the much-hyped HLPM.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, Maoist Chairman Dahal said the mechanism is entrusted with taking the ongoing peace process to a logical conclusion, helping draft the new constitution within the stipulated date and ending the protracted political deadlock.
The mechanism will not, however, concern itself with affairs of government.
Dahal lauded the formation of the HLPM as an ´important decision´ towards drafting the new constitution and successfully concluding the ongoing peace process.
According to NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula, the meeting agreed to include other parties in the mechanism in the coming days as per consensus among the three major parties. The mechanism will function just as a similar mechanism of the then Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) did during the Janaandolan II period in 2006.
UML Chairman Khanal said the mechanism will prove greatly helpful in resolving differences that have surfaced among the political parties and removing the mistrust felt among them.
NC President Koirala had proposed such a mechanism to help resolve the widening differences that have surfaced among the major political parties in the aftermath of the Constituent Assembly election held in April, 2008.
Besides Koirala, Dahal and Khanal, NC leaders Ram Chandra Poudel and Krishna Prasad Sitaula were among those present at the meeting. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal failed to attend the meeting as he was in Chitwan Thursday night.
Party insiders say the prime minister has expressed reservations over the HLPM, fearing that it may develop into a body parallel to the government. It is learnt that the prime minister, during his meeting with NC President Koirala a few days ago, had sought terms of references (ToR) for the HLPM.
Allaying such concerns, NC leader Poudel said the mechanism has nothing to do with government. "The mechanism will neither develop as a parallel body to the government, nor will it interfere in affairs of government," he said.
Maoists might withdraw protests
Maoist Chairman Dahal hinted that his party might withdraw its protest programs following the formation of the HLPM.
Talking to media upon arrival at Biratnagar Airport, Dahal said they could reconsider their protest programs if the meeting of the HLPM arrives at any understanding.
"The issue of our movement is still intact. But we will discuss our protest programs during the meeting of the mechanism scheduled within the next few days to facilitate drafting of the new constitution by the stipulated date and bring about sustainable peace in the country," said Dahal.
"We have made a big achievement by forming the mechanism. We can reconsider our protest programs if any understanding is reached," he added.
UML leader Oli unhappy
Senior UML leader KP Sharma Oli alleged that the HLPM was formed just for the sake of the prestige of top party leaders. "The mechanism has been formed for nothing but the prestige of party leaders," he told media at Biratnagar airport before leaving for Jhapa, Friday morning. "I fail to understand what they are up to as the mechanism includes both the parties trying to the save the government and those trying to topple it."
UNMIN welcomes HLPM
The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) has welcomed the formation of the High-Level Political Mechanism.
Issuing a press statement, UNMIN lauded the HLPM as a forum dedicated to multi-party dialogue on peace process-related issues. "UNMIN is hopeful that this forum will bring fresh momentum to the peace process, and remains ready to assist the parties in achieving their objective," the statement said.
Establishment of the HLPM comes at a time when consensus among the parties is vital for securing adherence to clear timelines for the finalization of Nepal´s new constitution, and for the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel.
koshraj@myrepublica.com
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