The second largest party in the Constituent Assembly (CA) also cautioned the Maoists to put a stop to such ´foolhardy´ decisions, which the party said are likely to derail the ongoing peace process and obstruct the drafting of the new constitution.[break]
The party made clear its official position on the Maoist declaration of autonomous states after various disgruntled ethnic bodies vowed to protest any unilateral decision to delineate the ´autonomous states´.
Addressing a hurriedly called press conference, NC Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel said the party denounces the Maoist declaration of autonomous states one after another as such a move could bring about anarchy and confrontation among people, thereby pushing the country toward violent conflict.
The press meet was called after a meeting of NC senior leaders with party President Girija Prasad Koirala, who has remained virtually bed-ridden for the past few months, at the latter´s residence at Maharajgunj Tuesday morning.
Poudel reiterated that the declaration of autonomous states not only violates the Comprehensive Peace Accord, but also goes against the spirit of the Interim Constitution. “This in itself makes it an extremely contradictory, irresponsible and risky move,” he said. “It is our conclusion that the move is in flagrant breach of the jurisdiction of the elected Constituent Assembly.”
NC Vice President Gopal Man Shrestha and General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi were present on the occasion.
The Maoists have so far declared eight autonomous states including Kochila, Limbuwan, Seti-Mahakali, Tharuwan, Kirant, Sherpa, Bheri-Karnali and Bhote-Lama. Several ethnic bodies including Limbuwan, Tharuwan and Madhesi bodies have already warned of protests against delineation of the ´autonomous states´.
The Maoists plan to announce 13 autonomous states as a part of their ongoing third phase of protests over civilian supremacy and the president´s move to reinstate the former army chief.
The NC said that it would not recognize the validity of the unilaterally declared autonomous states.
“Though the Maoists have been accusing other parties of conspiring to dissolve the elected Constituent Assembly, their move to declare autonomous states makes it amply clear that they themselves do not want the Constituent Assembly,” Poudel further said.
The NC has maintained that the CA should determine the federal state structure as per suggestions given by a high-level state restructuring commission comprising experts from fields concerned.
The NC also criticized the Maoists for inciting people to encroach upon public forests and seize private properties. The party alleged that the Maoist cadres have continued with their old tactics of extortion and interference in tender processes and budget disbursements to local bodies by the government.
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