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VOL. 27, NO. 41, June 27 , 2008 (Ashadh 13 2065 B.S.) |
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"This Is Just An Alliance To Settle The Political Deadlock"
Jhal Nath Khanal
JHAL NATH KHNAL, general secretary of CPN-UML, is busy these days in negotiations to form new alliance with the CPN-Maoist. Following the resignation of Madhav Kumar Nepal, Khanal was elected as the general secretary following his party's debacle in the elation. Khanal spoke to SPOTLIGHT at the parliamentary party office of the party regarding the new political development. Excerpts:
At a time when Maoist workers continue to attack your party workers, what prompted you to forge alliance with CPN-Maoists?
Maoists have promised they will not repeat the past mistakes. This alliance is not just between the two parties. It is a part of seven party alliance. We still want to have cordial relations with Nepali Congress and other parties till the formulation of the new constitution.
What is the basis of your new alliance?
Our alliance is based on power-sharing and constitutional amendment as both parties have agreed to bring about the amendment in the constitution and forming a new government as per the mandate of the people. We will support CPN-Maoists in forming the government and Maoists will support us to have the first president from our side.
Since UML and Maoists were already a part of seven party alliance, why did you have to forge new alliance between two parties?
Our alliance is not directed against any one. This is just an alliance to settle the political deadlock. Of course, we agreed on power sharing in future government but many issues are yet to be finalised. After long discussions and political debates, UML and Maoists agreed to share power in the coming government. It is natural for political parties to have such kinds of alliance.
If you think the new political alliance is necessary, what do you think of the future of seven parties' alliance?
We concluded that it will be an unconstitutional and apolitical to have member of opposition in the Security Council, which Nepali Congress is pressing for now. But we want to strengthen seven party alliance.
Why are you expressing such a grave concern on such a simple issue?
It is not a question whether we like it or not. Simply, these kinds of practice are not there in any democratic system. As Security Council is an executive body, the demand to have opposition member in the Security Council is undemocratic.
There are many instances in the past when you settled constitutional and political impasse by not exactly sticking to democratic norms and values saying that Nepal is a special case. Why not use this phrase again for such an insignificant matter?
This applies to those of our political colleagues who have been forwarding this demand. Our argument is that we need to discuss issues which are necessary. Nowhere in democratic countries is there a provision to include opposition party in National Security Council.
If NC decides to be in opposition, what role will there be for the party?
Main opposition party should be given due space in other areas of governance.
Is your alliance for communist polarization?
That is a false rumour that we are heading towards the communist polarisation.
If your party and Maoists don't want to consider the demand of Nepali Congress, how can you see the possibility of consensus?
We have resolved all complicated and important issues in the last three years by following the politics of consensus and compromise. Unfortunately, now the differences appeared when NC demanded to have opposition in the Security Council. There is no option for us other than to have consensus politics.
Your party had also pulled out your ministers from the government just a few days after your defeat in the election. Was that not against the spirit of consensus politics?
On that matter we have intensively discussed in our party meeting. We even drew the conclusion that the decision was taken in a haste. I don't want to talk on those issues now as our party has already decided to move forward by correcting past mistakes.
What are the problems now?
The present problem is how to solve the existing political deadlock. Particularly, our political colleagues of Nepali Congress have to think seriously. Nepali Congress leaders must build a basis for new political consensus.
If Nepali Congress government does not register constitutional amendment bill, will your party register the vote of no confidence motion against prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala?
It will depend on how Nepali Congress will come forward. In case, the government does not register the constitutional amendment bill in the CA, we will have to chart another course. We are also discussing this question ourselves and we have to consider all kinds of alternatives. We will try our best to avoid a situation compelling us to table a private bill for the fifth amendment to the interim constitution.
What will be your position?
On these issues we don't believe that we have to register motion of vote of no confidence against prime minister.
How do you see the reaction of Maoist leaders that the constituent assembly will decide the formation of new government and president? As their new partner, how do you look at it?
Maoists have the right to hold their own views. However, the need of the hour is to build the political consensus and work in a united manner till the formulation of new constitution.
As the Maoists have already agreed to support your candidate for country's first president, who will your party field for the position?
Once the legal and constitutional matters are resolved, we will announce the name of our candidate at appropriate time.
Maoist leaders have announced that they will not go to prime minister's residence any more for talks. What is your position?
We will make all kinds of efforts to have political consensus. We are ready to go to any place to build the political consensus.
