Speaking at a program at Reporters Club Nepal in the capital, Mahat said the Maoist party and other political parties’ positions on the new elections are different, so there can’t be any talks between the two sides in the existing situation. [break]
“While the four parties and the government have made it clear that they will not backtrack on the 11-point deal, the 25-point constitutional hurdle –clearing agreement and the November 19 elections, the CPN-Maoist wants those deals and the elections to be scrapped. So how can talks be held in such a situation?” Mahat questioned.
Just earlier in the day, the Mohan Baidya-led Maoist party had announced its talks team amid a press meet in the capital. Mahat said those who want to push the election date further are actually in favor of continuing with the present election government. Without fresh mandate, a new government under political leadership is impossible, the NC leader argued.
Addressing the same function, Madhesi People’s Right Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav said there can’t be new elections unless the issues raised by the dissident parties are addressed first. He described the formation of the present Khil Raj Regmi-led government as a mere ‘drama’ and said a single person can’t hold both the positions of executive and judiciary heads.
Yadav also said the president’s decree on clearing constitutional hurdles is the main obstacle in consensus formation. He said he does not see any possibility of new elections unless the chairman of Interim Election Council of Ministers, Regmi resigns as chief justice and that constituencies are delineated based on population. He warned that the country will plunge into a fresh conflict if the elections are held ‘forcibly’.
Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Pashupati Shumsher Rana was of the opinion that the new elections should be held only after ensuring an all-party participation in the Constituent Assembly elections through ‘intensive’ talks. He accused the four parties of not being seriousness about the gravity of the situation.
Related story
Vehicle in Mahat's poll campaign ambushed, five injured
