“This is a good beginning,” Dahal told mediapersons after the hour-long meeting that began at 5.30 p.m. at Shital Niwas, the President’s Office. “The meeting will pave the way for ending the political deadlock.” [break]
This is the first meeting between the two since Dahal resigned on May 4 protesting the president’s move to reinstate the last army chief a day before.
“We shared our experiences since I resigned,” Dahal further said. The two also assessed the prevailing political situation, Dahal added.
The Maoist chairman pointed out that they have not abandoned their agenda (of civilian supremacy).
When asked whether their protests against the president (and the government) would continue, Dahal said the protests would go hand-in-hand with the current round of talks until an amicable solution to the crisis is found.
The meeting assumes significance given the animosity that the Maoists have displayed publicly against the president.
The relation between the president and the Maoists had deteriorated after the former blocked the Maoist government’s move to dismiss the last army chief Rookmangud Katawal. They criticized the move, saying it was against civilian supremacy. The Maoists also termed the move autocratic, unconstitutional and undemocratic and launched series of protests since then. As part of the protests, they had staged a sit-in in front of the gate of the President´s Office for many days. They also boycotted of the president’s public programs.
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