KATHMANDU, Nov 5: Reacting strongly to the United Nations (UN) prescription of a national unity government, the ruling political parties in Nepal have dubbed the UN statement an “interference” in the internal affairs of the country. [break]
“It is for the Nepali people and political parties to decide what kind of government to form, how to form it and under whose leadership to form it,” said Raghuji Pant, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal´s political advisor, while briefing journalists about the decisions reached during the meeting of the ruling 22 political parties at Prime Minister´s Office, Singha Durbar on Thursday evening.
The ruling parties also stated that the UN statement is against “the spirit of the UN Charter and violates the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Nepal”.
“The Maoist-led government was a majority government, not a national unity government. But the UN did not bother to issue a statement then asking Nepal to form a national unity government,” said Pant.
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In his report published in the last week of October, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had pointed out the need for a national unity government in Nepal. “A government of national unity remains desirable for timely promulgation of the statute and for successful integration and rehabilitation of Maoist fighters,” Ban had stated in his report.
Taking the UN statement seriously, the ruling parties said no one except the Nepali people had the right to decided what kind of government the country needs.
“It is not for the UN to preach to us on how to form a government,” said NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel. “We are also calling on the Maoists to join the government and make it a national government,” he added.
Parties to call Speaker to use powers for budget passage
Besides calling on the Maoists to immediately stop the ongoing disruptions of parliamentary proceedings, the meeting also decided to request Speaker Subas Nembang to play a “necessary role” to let the current fiscal year´s budget pass in the legislature-parliament. “We have decided to request the Speaker to use his powers in the House for the protection of the rights of the majority,” said UML leader Pradip Gyawali.
According to the prime minister´s personal secretary, Rajan Rai, the parties will request Nembang to announce that the budget has been passed through a voice vote, even as the Maoists go on chanting their slogans in the House. “This is how the budget will be passed if no agreement is reached with the Maoists in this regard,” he said. Parliament has only passed a vote on account bill, allowing the government to spend just one-third of the budget. Rai said the government can run till the end of Mangsir with this one-third of the total budget.
Take stern measures against Maoist protest: Parties to govt
The ruling parties have also reached a conclusion that the protests launched by the Maoists grossly violate the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the then Maoist rebels and the government.
Asking the Maoists to immediately call off their protests and be flexible for consensus and cooperation, the ruling parties have warned of stern measures if the protests turn violent. “The ruling parties decided to take stern measures if the Maoists turn to violent tactics and arson and disrupt the supply of basic facilities for the people,” said Pant.
Maoists reluctant in integration and rehabilitation of PLA
The meeting also alleged that the Maoists are being reluctant over the integration and rehabilitation of their Army, and called on the former rebels to abide by the earlier agreement to complete this process within the set timeframe.
“As long as a political party has an army, weapons and semi-military forces under its command, it would be undemocratic for such a party to lead the government, as proven by past experience,” read a statement issued after the meeting. “Consequently, this meeting calls on the government and the UCPN (Maoist) to immediately speed up the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants.”
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