Prime Minister Nepal put forth the request during the HLPM meeting at the residence of coordinator of the mechanism and Nepali Congress (NC) President Girija Prasad Koirala, Saturday. [break]
The HLPM meeting, however, could not take any decision as the UCPN (Maoist) insisted that the current political deadlock should be settled before settling the issue of troops management. The Maoist argued that the issue of forming national government should also be included in the discussion for ending the political deadlock.
The request by the prime minister, who heads the Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation, comes in the wake of the special committee failing to make any headway in integration and rehabilitation process due to differences among committee members.
The special committee members had earlier decided to take the issue to HLPM as they failed to reach agreement.
The differences among the committee members on these two most contentious issues have already snagged the prime minister´s action plan to accomplish the task of Maoists combatants´ management within 112 days. Sources said the prime minister is now mulling introducing a 60-day action plan for the purpose.
According to NC spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC, Saturday´s HLPM meeting was called at the special request of Prime Minister Nepal to Koirala.
A source privy to the meeting said Koirala reminded PM Nepal that the latter´s was a coalition government and not just the CPN-UML´s. "So Koirala asked Nepal to work according to coalition culture," the source said.
Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, Maoist Vice Chair Narayankaji Shrestha said they said in the meeting that the issue of ending political deadlock should top the HLPM agenda. He said the formation of national government should also be included in the discussion for ending the political deadlock.
Shrestha said that the Maoists made clear that they cannot hold discussion on army integration until the political deadlock caused by the presidential move blocking the sacking of the then army chief is settled.
NC and UML leaders had held separate meetings to discuss ways to address the Maoist demands after Maoist leaders including Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Dr Baburam Bhattarai left the meeting following differences.
UML Chairman Jhalan Nath Khanal told mediapersons that they will do necessary homework to address the Maoist demands before the next HLPM meeting. He said that it is necessary to ensure troops management prior to the promulgation of the new constitution.
"There will be no peace until the Maoist combatants are managed," he said. "Promulgation of constitution is not possible without peace."
NC spokesperson KC said the HLPM meeting discussed including other political parties in the mechanism, but could not take any decision as the Maoists leaders left the meeting midway. Among other things, the meeting also discussed the performance of the government and row at Bir Hospital between NAMS management and Health Ministry.
koshraj@myrepublica.com
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