 |
| |
VOL. 27, NO. 10, November 02, 2007 (Kartik 16 2064 B.S.)
|
|
House In Deadlock
Instead of bridging differences, the special session exposed deep divide among key parties
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
Unable to bridge differences, the special session of the parliament – called at the behest of the Maoists to discuss their two-point proposal on republic and PR election system – looks headed towards a bruising voting.
Since the special session resumed on October 29, the MPs have been addressing the parliament on strict party-line. While Nepali Congress (NC) and Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) MPs have urged the Maoists to withdraw their proposal, the latter have refused to do so.
As likelihood of voting has increased, leaders have started saying that even the voting will not resolve the issue.
"If there is a voting, parties will vote in favor of their respective proposals. The UML will vote for its amendment proposal," said UML leader Jhal Nath Khanal.
NC, on the other hand, has outright rejected Maoist demands. "We cannot cut our neck and give that to the Maoists. We have reached the limit. We can no more compromise on our ideals," said NC acting president Sushil Koirala.
The NC has decided to vote against both Maoist and UML proposals. "The proportional representation system will trigger disintegration of the country," say NC leaders.
Maoists have also hardened their position. Maoist deputy commander Barshaman Pun aka Ananta warns that seven party unity would break if their proposal is defeated in the parliament. "There is no meaning to remain in the seven party alliance if the proposal on republic and proportional representation election system is defeated through voting," he said.
This time in the parliament, smaller parties, too, raised their voice against the Maoists. Dilaram Acharya, MP of Rastriya Jana Morcha (RJM) – which had supported Maoist proposal in the parliament - accused the Maoists of gambling with the republic proposal.
He said that the Maoists had stepped down to two demands from 22-point demands. And even among two demands, they appear ready to give up either one, he accused. "Shouldn't we understand that Maoists are gambling with republic proposal? If we don't support their proposal, we will not be supporting republic and if we do, they appear to be gambling with this issue. We had supported their proposal only because of republic," said Acharya.
He added that while RJM support republic declaration demand, it is against PR system. "Fully PR system will trigger ethnic revolt," he said.
Former prime minister and president of Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP), however, came down hard against proposal to declare republic. "This House does not have the authority to declare republic," he said, adding that the issue must be left for the people to decide.
Similarly, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) MP Sunil Prajapati urged the parties to vote in favor of its own amendment proposal demanding socialist republic by rejecting proposals put forth by the Maoists and UML.
As such, the parliament is in no shape to settle the issue and break the deadlock. Forgotten in this melee is the Constituent Assembly election. Nobody is sure when it will be held. Perhaps worried by this prospect the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Bhojraj Pokharel had to call on the Prime Minister requesting him to create proper political atmosphere and fix the new election date at the soonest.
