While the ruling Maoist party vowed not to withdraw but put the decision on hold, opposition parties Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML have said they will continue to protest the decision until it is revoked by the cabinet. [break]
Seventeen various opposition parties including the NC and the UML have been obstructing parliament meetings in protest since last week.
"We had expected that the Maoists would revoke the decision as the party had assured us during our last meeting," said senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal after a three-party meeting at the residence of Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Lazimpat. "The Maoists are unwilling to withdraw the decision. House meeting cannot take place until the decision is revoked."
The controversial decision of the government has not only left the House meetings affected but also affected regular meetings of Special Committee and Constitutional Committee.
NC leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat alleged that Maoists had created problem in peace and new statute by failing to implement past agreements. "The process of integration and voluntary retirement of Maoist combatants has not moved forward. Instead of returning the seized lands, the Maoist party has made a decision through the cabinet to legalize the conflict-era land dealings," he said.
Dr Mahat said they will continue with the protest unless the controversial decision is revoked. "There cannot be consensus unless the Maoists fully abide by the past agreements," he said. "The ball is in Maoist court now. The Maoists party and the government should take initiative to resolve the standoff."
Differences among the Maoists and the parties has precipitated into the two accusing each other over the stalled peace and constitution drafting processes.
"We have asked NC and UML that the government decision to legalize conflict era land deals should not affect the peace and constitution drafting processes. Since they have resorted to protests, NC and UML are hindrances to peace process and new constitution," alleged senior Maoist Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya, who leads hardliners in the Maoist party. It is alleged that Baidya group had pressured the government to legalize conflict-era land dealings.
UML leader Nepal, however, countered the Maoist allegation. "It is the Maoist party that made the unilateral decision to legalize its illegal activities. As there had never been any discussions on the issue in three-party meetings, the Maoist party is solely responsible for the delay in the peace process and constitution writing," argued Nepal.
Fresh polarization between NC and UML and the Maoists is unlikely to affect the current coalition as long as the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) continues to back the Bhattarai-led government. Though UDMF during a meeting with Maoist leaders Thursday afternoon asked the latter not to implementat the controversial decision, Madhesi parties have not shown any indication of pulling out from the government.
With the deadline for concluding the peace process and drafting new constitution fast approaching, cooperation among parties, especially between the Maoists, NC and the UML, is a must. But it is yet to be seen whether they will patch up their differences and move head to meet the deadline.
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