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VOL. 27, NO. 23, February 15, 2007 (Falgun 03 2064 B.S.)
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Dialogue, Again
The seven party steering committee meeting 'upgrades' the talks team to resolve Madhes unrest
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
With less than two months remaining for the April 10 Constituent Assembly (CA) election and the Terai turmoil still in the boil, the seven party steering committee – which was formed to aide the government – has decided to upgrade and expand the talks team.
The formation of the expanded talks team has come at a time when various Madhesi groups have announced 'decisive' joint agitation from next week.
The talks team will include representatives from all the seven parties. It will be headed by Peace and Reconstruction Minister Ram Chandra Poudel.
"A seven party talks team has been formed under my leadership. It will immediately start its job," said Minister Poudel.
The seven party meeting decided to 'upgrade' the already existing government talks team – also headed by Minister Poudel – "to initiate fruitful talks with the Madhesi groups to pave the way for smooth election," according to leader of Leftist Front CP Mainali.
The steering committee meeting also entered into intense debate about the recent attacks by the Maoists in political programs of other parties – such as in Darchula, Baitadi and Sindhuli. The Maoists, on their part, raised the issue of police raid in YCL offices in Kathmandu.
Subsequently, they agreed to form a probe team to investigate and recommend actions against culprits.
"In different places in the country, there have been instance that could undermine the cordial relations among alliance partners. Such instances have occurred in Darchula, Baitadi, Sindhuli and Kathmandu. We decided to probe such incidents and maintain cordial relations to ensure there is no obstruction to the April election," Mainali said.
Even as the steering committee had concluded that there is no alternative to improving relations, the Maoists have defended the revival of their Peoples' Revolutionary Council (PRC) units despite fears by other parties that they could play the role of parallel government units.
"All of us were of the opinion that PRC's revival was against the spirit of Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We demanded that they be dismantled. But the Maoists said that the PRCs were not parallel government units and were formed only to coordinate their own sister organizations," Minister Poudel said.
UNIFIED MARXIST LENINIST
No Leftist Alliance
The central committee meeting of UML rules out central-level leftist electoral alliance
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
At a time when there were reports of wider leftist electoral alliance – particularly between Maoists and the UML – in the offing, the recently concluded meeting of central committee of the UML has ruled out the possibility.
"We will not forge alliance with any party or with communist parties at the central level. Such alliances are possible at local level depending on the situation," said general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal.
He said the activities by the Maoists and their continued atrocities were the main hurdles for such alliance.
"When such attacks and atrocities are continuing, you cannot expect to strike cooperation or alliance," he added. "But we are open to alliance with all who believe in federal democratic republic – at the local level."
The central committee meeting also passed party's election manifesto. But it has not yet decided on the form of head of state after the CA election.
The party leaders appear upbeat about their prospect of winning the election. "We will win absolute majority in the election," Nepal said. He also vowed to contest from Rautahat as well as Kathmandu district in the April election.
The meeting of the standing committee to be held next week will finalize the party's election candidates and the issue of the form of head of state – whether presidential or prime ministerial.
