He said UML leaders from both the sides have agreed that the Maoists be given enough space in politics while simultaneously keeping them under threats. This has necessitated intra-party unity and unity among the democratic forces, he said.[break]
Earlier, a section of UML leaders -- mainly led by former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Oli -- were for transforming the former rebel party by exposing their wrongdoings and policies, while the other faction -- led by party Chairman Jhalanath Khanal -- insisted on taking them into confidence.
“Leaders from our party (Nepal and Khanal) led the two governments one after another based on their respective stances,” Pokharel, who was the minister for information and communications and the government´s spokesperson in the Nepal-led government, told media persons at his residence on Tuesday. He claimed the Nepal-led government was more successful in comparison to that headed by Khanal in terms of transforming the Maoists and advancing the peace process.
“Thus we can now safely claim that the policy of transforming Maoists by attacking on their wrongdoings has prevailed,” he said.
He, however, was quick to add that UML leaders were one on giving space to the Maoists and simultaneously keeping them under threat. He clarified that the decision to allow the Maoist chairman to head the dispute resolution subcommittee on constitution making was an instance of giving the former rebels space in politics.
Induction of leaders into CA
Pokharel, who is believed to be a trusted lieutenant of both Nepal and Oli, claimed that they have been planning to induct Oli, Bamdev Gautam and Amrit Bohara as CA members only after realizing the role of leaders from the major political parties in constitution writing process.
He cited a recent incident in parliament to indicate how tough the task of constitution writing would be in the days to come.
“Leaders were compelled to withdraw the bill on formation of an expert panel on state restructuring even after the four major political forces had reached an agreement. This underscores the need for the role of key leaders in the CA,” he explained. “Otherwise, we will not be able to promulgate the new constitution on time.”
Consensus among 5 leaders
Pokharel said bringing the five key leaders -- Khanal, Nepal, Oli, Gautam and General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel -- together is a must to materialize party unity in its true sense. "Talking about party unity while keeping aside Nepal and General Secretary Pokharel would be hypocrisy,” he said.
He informed that the idea to give Oli the third position in the party hierarchy was discussed immediately after the party´s eighth general convention. This has become possible now as the party chairman and other leaders also expressed readiness to give Oli the responsibility, he said.
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