KATHMANDU, March 19: Non-Maoist political parties including those in the government have protested the non-extension of the terms of eight Nepal Army generals by the Maoist-led government, radio and newspaper reports said. The parties said the ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) is attempting to weaken and politicize the army organization. The main opposition Nepal Congress worked throughout the day on Wednesday to forge consensus among ruling coalition partners and other parties to pressure the government into revoking its decision.
After consultations with various political parties, we all agreed that the Maoist move is a blatant political intervention, Nepali Congress leader and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said.
Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala met with top leaders of five various parties – Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Rastriya Janashakti Party, Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist) and Sadbhavana Party – on Wednesday morning and Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav in the afternoon and discussed the dispute. The leaders said they have decided to pressure the government into revoking the decision. Keshav Badal of the CPN-UML said the Maoists in the government did not consult with his party on the matter.
Dahal calls on Maoist constituents to unite
The Military Act provides that the term of senior military officials can be extended for three years for one time. RJP Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa termed the non-extension as intentional and serious and warned that the country could slip into deeper crisis if the move was not corrected immediately.
On Tuesday, Nepali Congress had asked President and Supreme Commander of the Nepal Army Dr Ram Baran Yadav to draw the attention of the government on the matter.
Nepali Congress is discussing the matter with CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal Thursday.
Madhesi People’s Rights Forum said the government should make important decisions through cabinet. Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party in a statement on Wednesday said the dispute between government and army could threaten the constitution-writing and peace processes.
Eight senior military officers retired from March 16 after Defense Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, who is in a running dispute with the Nepal Army, refused to extend their terms. The Military Act has given discretionary powers to the defence minister, who can extend th term of senior officers by three years if he wants.
