1 Mar 2015, Kathmandu - Stressing that the ball is in the ruling parties’ court, the UCPN (Maoist)-led 30-party alliance on Saturday urged the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML to reverse the “ongoing majority course of constitution drafting” for the sake of resumption of talks.
Addressing a mass rally at Khulamanch, opposition leaders said it is the responsibility of the ruling parties to create an environment for dialogue, and to ensure a new
constitution through consensus.
They demanded implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Interim Constitution and the agreements reached with the Madhes-based parties, Janajatis and other margnalised communities in the past.
Almost all the leaders who addressed the meeting said identity should be a basis for federating the country in a way to ensure the inclusion of the oppressed and margnalised sections.
In its biggest gathering since the ruling parties opted for the majority process in the Constituent Assembly, the opposition bloc reiterated that it would not sit for negotiations with the ruling alliance in the present conditions but maintained it would stay within the CA process.
Seen as a “show of force” by the opposition, the parties put up an “impressive turnout of their cadres” for Saturday’s demonstration. Tens of thousands of supporters poured into Khulamanch filling it to the brim while thousands listened to the speeches of their leaders from outside the venue.
The disgruntled parties hope the demonstration that took place one month after a brawl in the CA would exert pressure on the ruling parties to adopt consensus in formulating the new national charter.
They said the ruling parties should correct the “flawed process of forming the Questionnaire Committee” first. They, however, maintained that they want to promulgate the new constitution through the CA on the basis of broader consensus. “The purpose of this movement is also to promulgate a constitution in consensus,” said UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Addressing the gathering, Dahal said the ruling parties should be ready to make consensus efforts at the Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee (PDCC) of the CA led by his deputy Baburam Bhattarai. He warned of consequences if the NC and the UML failed to correct the course within the next few days.
During his address, Dahal reiterated that it is up to the ruling parties to lay the groundwork for negotiations or choose confrontation. The pre-condition for talks, according to him, is the revival of the PDCC to discuss the disputed agendas. One option being floated among the parties is to forward the already prepared questionnaire to the PDCC and make efforts at agreement there.
Dahal warned that there might not be a comfortable time for compromise after they announce another round of agitation. The opposition bloc has already said it will wait for a week for negotiations with the ruling coalition.
Opposition leader Dahal was critical of Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, attacking his government. He said Koirala should resign if he fails to control corruption and black marketeering.
However, he was more aggressive towards UML Chairman KP Oli. He suggested the communist party’s merger with the NC. Dahal charged that the UML had accepted all the agendas of the NC, creating confusions about its distinct identity.
Senior Maoist leader Bhattarai echoed Dahal on the constitution drafting process. He said talks would be meaningless without correcting the constitution writing course.
Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar said a constitution without the participation of the Maoist and Madhesi parties would not last. He asked the ruling parties to take immediate measures to resume the stalled talks. “The ruling parties have breached the consensus course which needs correction immediately,” he said.
MJF-Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav said there is no meaning of negotiations with the ruling parties if there is no guarantee of identity-based federalism in the new constitution. He warned of a revolt if the ruling parties refused to address their demands.
The opposition has been demanding that the PM should issue another statement expressing commitment that the constitution is drafted on the basis of consensus.
Both the ruling and opposition parties hope dialogue will begin after Sunday. The opposition bloc is outside the CA process and parliamentary affairs since the Assembly formed the Questionnaire Committee on January 25.
Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato, Hridayesh Tripathi of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, Federal Socialist Party Nepal chief Ashok Rai and leaders from 15 fringe parties echoed the sentiment that the constitution should be drafted on the basis of consensus and past agreements.
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