KATHMANDU, May 7: Prime Minister and chairman of Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal has promised to take initiatives to build atmosphere of inter-party trust that deteriorated further after the release of a file tape revealing Maoist "strategy to capture the state".
He made this promise during his meeting with Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter´s residence at Maharajgunj on Thursday. [break]
Dahal went alone to meet Koirala, immediately after the politburo meeting of the UCPN-M held in Bhaktapur. Koirala was flanked by Poudel, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Krishna Sitaula. It was first meeting of Dahal with Koirala since his video footage taken 16 months ago in a PLA camp revealed Maoists´ strategy on the peace process, Constituent Assembly Elections and army integration.
During the meeting, Koirala questioned the Maoists´ sincerity about the peace process in the light of the video, which shows Dahal speaking to his commanders and combatants at Shaktikhor cantonment on January 2, 2008.
Dahal speaks ill about other political parties, national army and the party´s "real intentions" to enter the peace process. The video was first broadcast by Image Channel TV and subsequently picked up by other channels, newspapers and online media.
"We have arrived at a conclusion that you joined the peace process with a strategy to forcefully capture state power and are not sincere about peace and democracy," NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel quoted Koirala as telling Dahal.
Koirala said Nepali Congress and other parties trusted the Maoists´ promise to embrace multi-party politics and democratic norms but the video shows that the Maoists had used peace process as part of their strategy, said Poudel. "We have devoted ourselves to peace, consensus and collaboration but did not find reciprocity from the Maoist side."
In response, Dahal was reported to have told Koirala that his party was sincerely working for bringing the peace process to a logical end and genuinely adhering to multi-party competition. Dahal told reporters that he discussed all contemporary issues with Koirala and the talks were positive. According to a source close to prime minister, the prime minister said he was stunned by support of the country´s oldest democratic party´s support to Nepal Army. He claimed that NC´s support to Nepal army chief Rookmangud Katawal weakened civilian supremacy over army in the country.
An-hour-long meeting, however, did not delve for long on the formation of a new government, the hottest issue in Nepal´s politics since the prime minister stepped down. "But we told the Prime Minister that we will support the UML candidate for premiership. We have already given words to UML," said Poudel. "We have urged the Prime Minister either to join the new coalition or play a role of a constructive opposition."
Nepali Congress parliamentary party, earlier, had decided not to support Maoist candidate as the new prime minister. The meeting also concluded that the Maoists are moving their steps as a strategy to capture state power as revealed by a video footage containing Maoist Chairman Dahal´s instruction to PLA men i Shaktikhor cantonment.
Prez consults Nembang
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav consulted with Constituent Assembly chairperson Subas Nembang on latest political situation after the resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Nembang visited Yadav at the latter´s office in Shital Niwas.
"Regarding electing a new Prime Minister, I informed the head-of-state that I have not been able to announce Dahal´s resignation in the parliament due to the obstruction Of the House by Maoist lawmakers," Nembang told journalists after his meeting with the President.
"I briefed the president on our tradition, and legal and constitutional provisions regarding election of a Prime Minister."
According to sources, Nembang told Yadav to refer the issue of electing a new PM to the parliament if the political parties fail to recommend a consensus candidate to the head-of-state.
UML meeting on Friday
A Standing Committee meeting of the CPN-UML on Thursday set agenda for the party´s Central Committee meeting scheduled for Friday.
The party is scheduled to discuss future strategies in the wake of current political situation. "The Central Committee will also discuss formation of political bureau and expansion of Standing Committee," a press statement issued by the party said.
Maoist meet continues
The UCPN-Maoist has begun its formal discussion among party leaders on the party´s future strategy.
During a politburo meeting held at a training center of Agricultural Development Bank in Bode, Bhaktapur, on Thursday, party leaders expressed their views on the current political situation. The meeting will continue on Saturday as the reporting from politburo members did not complete on Thursday.
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