Peace process is key: NC

KATHMANDU, June 7: Nepali Congress (NC) has said that the party stands nowhere in the race for the government leadership as long as the big three parties agree on settling contentious issues related to peace process and constitution-writing.



NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula, a key interlocutor in the three-party negotiations, told myrepublica.com that it will be foolish to talk about forming new government without settling the issue of peace process and constitution-writing. [break]



“It will be foolish to go for new government without preparing ground for taking the ongoing peace process to a logical end,” said Sitaula. “The Maoists must come up with concrete work plan with time frame on issues of peace process including the management of combatants to create such ground.”



Situala´s remark comes at a time when Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is claiming that NC has sought Maoist support to lead new government.



NC has alleged that the Maoists have not been able to come up with concrete work plan with time frame to this effect despite agreeing in principle to do so during three-party talks on May 1 and May 16.



“New government could be formed should the prime minister chose to step down,” said Sitaula. “But there is no chance of forming national consensus government without preparing necessary ground for taking the peace process to a logical end and promulgating new constitution on time.”



Sitaula said NC has concluded that the party could take the leadership of the new government if situation demanded after settling the issues of peace process.

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