KATHMANDU, FEB 25 -
Though the Cabinet is yet to take a complete shape, the CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist) on Thursday formally asked the Nepali Congress (NC) to join the government for the first time since Jhala Nath Khanal became the prime minister on Feb.3.
The two allies in the new government said coordination between major parties is vital to conclude the peace and constitution drafting processes.
The formal offer to the NC was made in a meeting of three major parties—UCPN (Maoist), NC and UML—attended by top leaders at the ministry of peace and reconstruction in Singha Durbar.
However, NC refused to consider the offer as long as the seven-point deal signed between Khanal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal remained in place.
Consultations among the parties to strike consensus on knotty political issues are likely to continue on Saturday. Another joint meeting called by Khanal is likely to dwell on the peace process, consitution drafting, Cabinet expansion and power sharing.
The PM hopes to rope in the NC, according to his aides. Leaders of the big three parties will try to find a common understanding on integration of PLA combatants and unresolved issues pertaining to constitution drafting.
NC General Secretary Prakash Man Singh said the Congress has been invited to the meeting and that the gathering will focus mainly on how to complete the constitution drafting and peace processes. He, however, said he is not sure if efforts to get his party in the government is another agenda of the meeting.
UML leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Oli have also intensified discussions to bring the Congress in the Cabinet. The Maoist party is still undecided on joining the government as it sees the UML’s decision on the seven-point deal as “ambiguous and vague.” In a meeting with Khanal on Wednesday, Maoist Chairman Dahal asked the PM to make clear his party’s decision on the deal. “We requested the prime minister to clarify UML’s stance on the seven-point understanding,” said Maoist Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya.
The Maoist Standing Committee (SC) is scheduled to meet after the three-party meet.
Leaders close to Dahal said the SC meeting is likely to decide on joining the government. While Dahal is in the mood to join the government even if the party is denied the home ministry portfolio, Vice Chairmen duo Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya are against it. The Bhattarai faction wants the party to support the government from outside.
Though the Cabinet is yet to take a complete shape, the CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist) on Thursday formally asked the Nepali Congress (NC) to join the government for the first time since Jhala Nath Khanal became the prime minister on Feb.3.
The two allies in the new government said coordination between major parties is vital to conclude the peace and constitution drafting processes.
The formal offer to the NC was made in a meeting of three major parties—UCPN (Maoist), NC and UML—attended by top leaders at the ministry of peace and reconstruction in Singha Durbar.
However, NC refused to consider the offer as long as the seven-point deal signed between Khanal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal remained in place.
Consultations among the parties to strike consensus on knotty political issues are likely to continue on Saturday. Another joint meeting called by Khanal is likely to dwell on the peace process, consitution drafting, Cabinet expansion and power sharing.
The PM hopes to rope in the NC, according to his aides. Leaders of the big three parties will try to find a common understanding on integration of PLA combatants and unresolved issues pertaining to constitution drafting.
NC General Secretary Prakash Man Singh said the Congress has been invited to the meeting and that the gathering will focus mainly on how to complete the constitution drafting and peace processes. He, however, said he is not sure if efforts to get his party in the government is another agenda of the meeting.
UML leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Oli have also intensified discussions to bring the Congress in the Cabinet. The Maoist party is still undecided on joining the government as it sees the UML’s decision on the seven-point deal as “ambiguous and vague.” In a meeting with Khanal on Wednesday, Maoist Chairman Dahal asked the PM to make clear his party’s decision on the deal. “We requested the prime minister to clarify UML’s stance on the seven-point understanding,” said Maoist Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya.
The Maoist Standing Committee (SC) is scheduled to meet after the three-party meet.
Leaders close to Dahal said the SC meeting is likely to decide on joining the government. While Dahal is in the mood to join the government even if the party is denied the home ministry portfolio, Vice Chairmen duo Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya are against it. The Bhattarai faction wants the party to support the government from outside.
No comments:
Post a Comment