Dahal, who arrived in Biratnagar to take part in an orientation for party cadres, said the demand of the main opposition party in parliament was justifiable as the UCPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML have already led the government twice each following the Constituent Assembly (CA) election in April, 2008.[break]
Chairman Dahal argued that there was no alternative to forming a national consensus government for delivering peace and a new constitution. "The national consensus government should be formed under Maoist leadership since we are the largest party in parliament. However, we are open to discussions about the government leadership," he said.
Dahal argued that a national consensus government could be formed if all the parties joined the current government. "We are ready for discussions if the other parties insist that a consensus government is possible only under a new leadership," he added.
Arguing that the Maoist party had ´benefitted´ when he stayed outside the government, Dahal dismissed reports that he was to lead a national consensus government. "It is nothing but baseless rumor. It is also not the party´s decision or policy. I have repeatedly said that I have no desire to lead a government under the current process. Neither do I think it will benefit our party," he elaborated.
Dahal said it was better for him to remain outside the government and assist in the successful conclusion of peace and constitution drafting, to institutionalize the changes brought about through the sacrifices of the people.
Also speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, who is Maoist party vice-chairman, said that efforts are underway to form a national consensus government under his leadership as such a government was a must for delivering peace and the new constitution. "It is difficult [to accomplish those tasks] when there are ruling and opposition parties. I am ready to fulfill any role for the sake of a national consensus government," he said.
The prime minister also claimed that a new constitution would be promulgated within the stipulated deadline of May 27. "There is a good possibility. Rest assured that a new constitution will be drafted within the May 28 deadline," he said.
The prime minister said that though the people had great expectations of him he had failed to deliver because of the lingering ´transition period´.
Senior Maoist Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya said that Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal´s name as a new prime ministerial candidate from the Maoists was under discussion as Thapa was an equally deserving candidate for the post. "It is true the name of Badalji has also come up when discussing the prime ministerial candidate," he said. "Baburamji is also open to a consensus government."
The orientation program organized by the Eastern Regional Bureau of the Maoists was participated by Maoist Kochila state-level leaders and party cadres. On the occasion, Maoist Secretary C P Gajurel said the orientation program was organized to show the wrongfulness of propaganda that discussions and debate within the party had precipitated ´factionalism´.
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