“It will be ridiculous to say that the new constitution could be written sidelining the largest party (Maoist party) by an alliance of small parties,” said Gautam talking to mediapersons in Biratnagar. “Without having the Maoists in the government, it is impossible to write a new constitution.”
Toeing the Maoist line, the UML Vice President also argued that the move by President Ram Baran Yadav to reinstate army chief Rookmangud Katawal should be debated in the parliament. “The president is not a king,” he said adding that reactionaries with “monarchical mentality” have prevented the issue from entering the parliament. “Yes, civilian supremacy has been trampled upon,” he said.
Gautam also accused the government of handing over its power to ceremonial president. “This government and its prime minister have handed over their power to the president,” he said.
He was of the opinion that it would be dangerous to alienate the largest political party having one-third votes in the Constituent Assembly.
“Those who are playing games to alienate the Maoists are not in favor of writing constitution,” he said. Gautam called for a national government participated by UML, NC and Maoists to save the country from imminent dangers.
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