20 Mar 2015, Kathmandu - The UCPN (Maoist) has started approaching senior leaders of the ruling parties involved in the peace process, asking them to facilitate consensus on the disputed issues of the constitution writing process.
Maoist leaders say statute drafting is the final chapter of the peace process initiated in 2006 and the efforts of leaders who know its
crux could make a difference in ending the political logjam.
Ruling party leaders, however, do not view the Maoist bid in positive light. They have termed the main opposition’s move as a ploy to play in their parties for prolonging the deadlock. They charge that the Maoists are trying to cash in on the internal feuds of the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN-UML.
The opposition party believes that leaders who contributed significantly to the peace process had been sidelined in the recent cross-party talks. The opposition has often said that problems have exacerbated as the current leadership of the NC and the UML fails to grasp the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday met senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, asking him to increase his role in the drafting of the new constitution. The two leaders also discussed alternatives for settling the disputes related to federalism.
Dahal reportedly told Nepal that the peace process was on the verge of a collapse and that it is the responsibility of leaders like him to take preventive measures. The Maoist reading is that Nepal is in favour of consensus even though the incumbent UML leadership prefers the Constituent Assembly process to decide the disputed agendas. NC President Sushil Koirala and UML chief KP Sharma Oli were not directly involved in peace talks with then rebel Maoists who agreed to lay down their weapons.
Nepal has been suggesting that Dahal allow the promulgation of the new constitution by registering a note of dissent so that key political gains such as secularism, federalism and republicanism are institutionalised.
Nepal warned Dahal the achievements of the Second Janaandolan could go in vain if the major partners of the anti-monarchy campaign engaged in a prolonged power-tussle. He asked Dahal to heed growing public frustration at the leaders’ inability to seek an amicable solution.
The movement for political change that followed an agreement between the Maoists and the then Seven Party Alliance abolished centuries-old monarchy and transformed the country into a republic embracing federalism, secularism and inclusiveness.
According to his aide Chudamani Khadka, Dahal responded positively to Nepal’s idea and said consensus on federalism is possible if the parties act seriously. “Our chairman asked Nepal to act in order to resolve the differences,” said Khadka.
Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai and UML leader Nepal also discussed ways to end the deadlock. Nepal did not attend the recent four-party talks. Nepal reportedly assured the Maoist leaders that he would do his bit for an accord among the parties.
The UCPN (Maoist)-led 30-party alliance has already announced the second phase of agitation including four days of general strike.
Talks are also on with NC General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula, another key negotiator of the peace process. Maoist leaders say although Sitaula played a positive role in the initial years of the peace process he is now against consensus and is pushing the majority way of constitution drafting.
Maoist leaders say Dahal plans to meet other leaders of the ruling bloc and ask them to help take the constitution drafting process forward on the basis of broader consensus. Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha is also in consultation with a range of leaders from the ruling parties.
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