The prime minister, speaking at a press meet upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), asserted that he had committed himself to concluding the major tasks of the peace process within 45 days of a broad political consensus being reached in this regard.[break]
"It was never said that the major tasks of the peace process would be completed unilaterally within 45 days. I meant that the major tasks would be completed within 45 days from the day a political consensus is built vis-à-vis the peace process," Bhattarai said.
He argued that his statement had been "misunderstood."
The Maoists had also made such a commitment to other political parties while soliciting their backing for leading the government.
Responding to the prime minister´s new stance, UML leader Pradip Gywali said that his party had not expected such a change of stance from Bhattarai.
"There is widespread belief that he is at least someone honest. But his latest statement has left the people disappointed," said Gywali.
"What steps did he take on the peace process front after his election as prime minister?" Gywali asked.
United Democratic Madhesi Front leader and current Minister for Information and Communications JP Gupta also said that the Maoist party, while seeking the support of the UDMF before the election of the prime minister, had committed itself to completing the peace process within 45 days.
"I do not want to contradict what the prime minister said. But the commitment given to us was to complete the peace process within 45 days," Gupta said.
He, however, argued that the peace process could not be advanced through the sole decision of the Maoist party and the UMDF. "NC and the UML have created obstructions in the process," he said.
India visit next month: PM
Bhattarai said that he met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. "The Indian PM said that the completion of the peace process in Nepal is in the interest of India also," he added.
He said the four-point deal reached with the Madhes-based parties has bolstered national spirit, not weakened it as claimed by his own party´s hardliners.
He termed those opposing the deal as "conservatives" and argued that opposition to the four-point deal from within his own party would not deter him from its implementation.
The prime minister argued that he has spread the message that the country would see completion of the peace process soon. "It was appreciated when I stated that we would be the bridge - not a wall -- between India and China," he said, adding that he would visit China also, after returning from India.
Bhattarai also said that he has requested UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the development of Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha. "I have made a special request to Ban Ki-moon for the development of Lumbini," he said.
He said the UN should not be an umbrella for a few developed countries, but should work as a ´world parliament´, and the rich countries should take concrete measures for the betterment of the least developed ones.
He said the USA is soon removing his party from its list of terrorist organizations. "US officials told us that they have already removed the Maoists politically from the list of terrorist organizations, but some technical difficulties remained," he said.
PM proposes to integrate 7,000
Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, who is chair of the Special Committee, has proposed to the Committee that altogether 7,000 ex-Maoist combatants should be integrated into the Nepal Army.
According to JP Gupta, who is a Special Committee member, the prime minister proposed the number at the last meeting of the Special Committee on September 18.
At the meeting, the prime minister also proposed to give Rs 700,000 to junior combatants who opt not to be integrated and one million rupees to senior combatants making the same choice.
"But the proposal was not endorsed as the NC and UML representatives in the Special Committee objected, saying all the issues of the peace process should be settled in a package," Gupta said.
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