The two-day party standing committee meeting that concluded Monday took a decision to this effect. “Our stance is that the party chairman should lead the national government. But we also decided to be open to appointing another party leader as prime minister if other parties agree,” said a Maoist standing committee member requesting anonymity.[break]
According to sources, party leaders including Barsaman Pun and Top Bahadur Rayamajhi had vociferously put forth the view that the party should be ready to make another party leader the next prime minister if doing so would lead to national consensus.
“What we mean is, our party being the largest in parliament should lead the government. The party chairman should obviously lead the government. But it doesn´t mean there cannot be any other option,” said Maoist standing committee member Amik Serchan.
The party has decided not to hold formal talks with the ruling parties until Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal steps down. “But it doesn´t mean we are not holding backdoor meetings for a consensus,” said a senior Maoist leader.
There was an intra-party tussle between Dahal and Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai over who should lead the next government.
The party´s decision comes in the wake of failure to topple the incumbent government even after enforcing a six-day nationwide general strike and thousands of Maoist cadres and supporters from across the country heating up the streets of Kathmandu. Owing to intense domestic and international pressure, the party called off its indefinite strike Friday. Just ahead of the demonstration, the party had reaffirmed Dahal as prime ministerial candidate.
The rift between Bhattarai and Dahal widened after the latter removed Bhattarai from the post of deputy leader in parliament and later an audio record was leaked to media in which Dahal accused Bhattarai of being India´s choice for next prime minister of Nepal. Immediately after that Dahal had gotten the party central committee to endorse himself as prime ministerial candidate.
10 parties jointly appeal for govt dissolution
Meanwhile, 10 political parties at the initiative of the UCPN-M issued a joint statement calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
The parties issued a joint statement after holding a meeting at Maoist party headquarters at Parisdanda Monday afternoon.
The joint statement states that national independence, federalism, republicanism, secularism, social justice, peace and constitution are their common goals and that the incumbent government should resign to create an atmosphere for national consensus and for achieving the goals. According to Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma, the parties have formed a joint front to safeguard the new changes and defeat conspiracy to dismantle them.
The parties to sign the statement are: UCPN-M, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum, CPN (United), Nepal Sadbhavana Party (led by Sarita Giri), Nepali Janata Dal, Rastriya Janamukti Party, Nepa Rastriya Party, Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch, Chure Bhavar Yekata Party (signed by general secretary Bhumiraj Niraula) and Dalit Janajati Party. Altogether these parties have 276 seats.
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