[Marxism] Nepal Updates: Tussle over Government Formation

[Sukla Sen]

[From the point of view of the CPN(M), the most
critical immediate task would be implementing the
integration of the PLA with the Nepal Army on the most
favourable terms without yielding any significant
ground to the demand for proportional representation
of the Madhesis in the Army. 
For that, direct control over the government is a
must. Not for nothing they rejected out of hand the
proposal that the leader of the Opposition should also
be included in the Security Council. 
But others are also keenly aware of the criticality of
this single measure. 
So the tussle continues to rein them in.

Ditching the CPN(UML) in the Presidential election,
after securing their support in amending the Statute
by sidelining the NC has also seriously damaged their
credibility and prospects for renewal of the
alliance.]

I/II.
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/aug/aug02/news08.php

 Maoists present draft of CMP before all-party meeting

CPN (Maoist) went a step further today as part of its
preparation to form the new government, presenting the
draft of common minimum programme (CMP) at a meeting
with the 24 other parties represented in the
Constituent Assembly (CA).

Presenting the draft of CMP for debate, Maoists
leaders urged the parties for support in forming a
government of national consensus. No decision came
from the meeting while leaders said there would be
further discussion would on the CMP.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Maoist
spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the CMP
underscores the aspiration of the Nepali people for
forward-looking change and lasting peace.

In the CMP, the Maoist party has proposed the
restructuring of the state in the spirit of the
federalism, drafting of new condition within two
years, immediate relief package to conflict-affected
and poor people, integration of Maoist combatants and
management of arms within three months as per the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), restructuring of
the bureaucracy to make it suitable for the federal
system, special development programmes for Karnali
region, employment to youths, price control, and
normalisation of supply of fuel and other essentials -
among others.

Reacting to the 'conditions' floated by the Maoists
for forming the government, Nepali Congress leader
Arjun Narsingh K.C said the NC was not in a position
to guarantee that the Maoist-led government enjoys
full two-year term. He said support from his party
would depend on the programmes of the government.

Likewise, CPN (UML) leader Bishnu Poudel was of view
that the Maoists' behavior was the main factor behind
the delay in forming the government. Poudel, who is
the deputy leader of the UML in the CA, said his party
was in favour of a unity government. nepalnews.com Aug
02 08

II.
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/aug/aug02/news06.php

 Maoists cannot form minority govt: Khanal
	
Reacting to the decision of CPN (Maoist) to form a
minority government if other parties refused to
support it, general secretary of CPN (UML), Jhala Nath
Khanal, has said the Maoists cannot form the
government single-handedly.

Speaking to media persons after a programme at the UML
headquarters in Balkhu on Saturday, Khanal said that
constitutional provisions would not allow the Maoists
to form a minority government.

Saying that the UML is in favour of a consensus
government, he advised the Maoists to reach out to all
the parties with mutually agreeable agendas in order
to win broader support for the upcoming government led
by them.

The Maoists, according to the UML general secretary,
need to correct their behavior and learn coalition
culture. He also claimed that the UML-Maoist alliance
had collapsed just ahead of the presidential election
due to internal differences within the Maoist party.

Alluding to the proposal of Nepali Congress to form a
government without involving the Maoists, Khanal made
it clear that his party was against the idea of a
government sans Maoists.

Sources said the NC leaders during a meeting with the
UML leadership yesterday had proposed a government
excluding the Maoists. nepalnews.com mk Aug 02 08 


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