Addressing an interaction organized by the NC Central Working Committee (CWC) with party sister organizations and civil society members to discuss the party´s stance in the ongoing three-party negotiations and the party´s future course of action, Poudel said the three-party negotiation became blocked as NC and the UML refused to give in to the Maoist demand to secure the resignation of the prime minister without first settling issues related to the peace process. [break]
“While we have said that the prime minister will resign after we arrive at a consensus on all issues related to the peace process, the Maoists have been demanding that the prime minister step down first to begin the negotiations to resolve contentious issues related to constitution-drafting and the peace process,” said Poudel, who is also NC parliamentary party leader.
Poudel said the contention now revolves on whether to render Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal ´caretaker´ in status before settling the issues of peace process and constitution drafting. “We have refused to give in to the Maoist demand to make the prime minister a caretaker,” he added.
NC has been refusing the Maoist demand, arguing that there is no possibility of forming a new government any time soon without settling all issues in contention. NC maintains that it is not good to leave the country in a vacuum for long at this critical time of transition.
Poudel argued that it was not the NC but the Maoists who were responsible for bringing about a situation requiring an extension for the Constituent Assembly (CA) whose term expired on May 28.
He alleged that constitution drafting was delayed as the Maoists, in the name of ´a new system´ and ´change´, made proposals on various issues against the norms of democracy.
Several speakers, while giving their suggestions, alleged that the NC had stood against the rule of law-a fundamental value of democracy-in agreeing to extend the CA´s term by a year even as the Interim Constitution has a provision for extension by a maximum of six months only.
“This type of issue cannot be dealt with while sticking to the nitty-gritty of the constitution,” he said, dismissing the charge. “We agreed to extend the term by a year in the cause of peace and the new constitution.”
He added that the country could have been pushed into a fresh round of confrontation had they not agreed to extend the CA term.
All those taking part in the interaction held at the residence of party Acting President Sushil Koirala lauded the stance maintained by the NC during the three-party negotiations. They also suggested the NC not compromise with the Maoists at the cost of the fundamentals of democracy.
They said that national consensus cannot be forged unless there is guarantee on implementation of the agreements reached and that the Maoists must transform into a civilian party detached from arms and combatants if they are to lead a proposed national consensus government.
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