Maoist conditions for ending impasse<br/>NC says no, UML for common ground

KATHMANDU, July 3: After rounds of talks on ending the two-month obstruction of proceedings at the Legislature-Parliament, the Unified CPN (Maoist) has proposed that the government present a vote of credit bill.



Top Maoist leaders at a meeting with ruling CPN-UML and Nepali Congress (NC) leaders at Singha Durbar Thursday evening said presenting a vote of credit bill can be an option for tackling the present crisis. Maoist leaders have said President Ram Baran Yadav cannot present the government´s policies and programs in parliament without first addressing their objection to his move in the army row. [break]



"If the prime minister cannot clearly mention the president´s move in his address to parliament and the country might face a serious crisis due to delay in starting the budget session, they can present a vote of credit bill as a way out," said Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma. The government last year had presented such a bill due to a long-running political crisis.



Nepal´s fiscal year begins mid-July and a budget for the new fiscal year is presented in parliament in the first or second week of July. But the Speaker has so not prorogued the House due to continued Maoist obstructions.



NC leaders said the alternative proposed by the Maoists is inappropriate. "A budget without policies and programs is not proper," NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel told reporters.



Also, the Maoists suggested an option for resolving the dispute over the president´s move by categorically defining the jurisdictions of the president and prime minister and amending the constitution accordingly. "The president´s move over the army row has proved that it has become necessary to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the president and prime minister because the dispute may recur any time in future as well," Sharma said.



UML General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel said that further bilateral and multilateral talks will find a middle way. "The Maoists have proposed ideas on ending the impasse. We can find common ground."



Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maoist Chairman Dahal, NC leader Poudel and other top leaders from the three parties were present at the separate bilateral meetings.



The three parties are to meet again Friday.

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