"NC has maintained that it wants to see the peace process concluded before forming a national consensus government. As NC is not prepared, it is difficult to form a national consensus government in the immediate future," Dahal told journalists at his residence on Tuesday. [break]
Accepting a memorandum from Reporters´ Club, Nepal, Dahal said that he detects "politics" in NC´s stance that the peace process should be completed before forming a national consensus government.
Yet Dahal said that peace process would move ahead even in the absence of a consensus government.
"It is not our party´s policy to stall the peace process if a consensus government is not in place," said Dahal, "A consensus government will be formed once the integration and rehabilitation process is complete. I hope NC will be prepared [for such a government] then."
Dahal said he hopes the parties will reach agreement to settle unresolved issues relating to the peace process within a couple of days.
"We are discussing the peace process, constitution writing and government formation in a package. Even if a package deal is not reached, the peace process will move ahead," said Dahal, who said constitution writing is becoming more complicated than the peace process.
When asked who would lead a consensus government, Dahal said that it would be more legitimate to let his party to lead the government by virtue of its being the largest political party in the Constituent Assembly but added that this is not a precondition on the part of the Maoist party.
"It would also not be illegitimate if the Nepali Congress claims the leadership of such a government as our party and CPN-UML have already led two governments each," Dahal said.
He was of the view that forging agreement on state restructuring and the basis of federalism are going to be difficult for the parties. "These issues need more discussions," he said.
On another contentious issue of system of governance, Dahal said the parties are close to agreement on directly elected president and parliament-elected prime minister.
Meanwhile, Dahal had discussed peace process and constitution writing with top NC leaders at the residence of NC President Sushil Koirala at Maharajgunj, Thursday morning.
According to NC Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel, who was present in the meeting, Maoist Chairman had sought representation of the Maoist combatants in the top leadership of the proposed directorate under the Nepal Army. However, NC leaders had maintained that the issue of rank determination should be strictly based on the seven-point agreement of November 1, 2011.
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