Further review of sankalpa prastav

Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU: Three major parties - the Unified-CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML - today agreed to further review the “contents” and “language” of the proposed consensual sankalpa prastav.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal had convened the meeting at his office in Singha Durbar. Maoist leader Dev Prasad Gurung, NC’s Arjun Narsingh KC and UML’s Yuvaraj Gyawali have been entrusted with finalising the common sankalpa prastav, which will be presented for final approval in tomorrow’s meeting.

NC spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC said that the Maoists had been advocating a package deal, which now included the formation of a unity government under their leadership.

“But, it’s not feasible to agree to a package deal immediately. We need to focus on passing the budget since various development works and essential service sectors are facing the acute funds crunch due to the inordinate delay,” he explained.

Narayan kaji Shrestha ‘Prakash, vice-chairman, UCPN-M, said that his party had agreed to resolve the crisis through talks. “The budget will be passed once the impasse is over. We hope to reach an amicable settlement by Friday,” he added.

The deadlock had surfaced in parliament after the ex-rebels demanded discussion on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav’s ‘unconstitutional move’ to overturn the then Maoist-led government’s order to reinstate sacked Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal on May 3.

The ruling NC and UML are keen to pass the budget ahead of dialogue to end the imbroglio. But the Maoists are insisting on the other way round. Arjun Narsingh KC spelt out that his party was ready for a consensual sankalpa prastav sans any indictment on the President about his decision to reinstate General Katawal. He cited lack of constitutional provision for the NC’s stand.

“We’ve told the Maoists time and again that the President shouldn’t be censured in any way in the consensual sankalpa prastav. We’re ready to find a middle path to end the crisis,” added the NC spokesperson.

The three parties had almost reached an understanding on the all-important document, which holds the key to resolution of the ongoing political deadlock, around two weeks ago.

But, the sankalpa prastav was relegated to the back-burner as the Maoists went ahead with their second phase of agitation between November 1 and 13.

Prachanda hits out at coalition

KATHMANDU: Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Wednesday dubbed the UML-led coalition as unnatural and claimed that it would collapse soon. He made this statement at the TIA here on his return from Singapore after a whirlwind visit to attend a party programme.

“We’ll have to wait and see how the ruling coalition is dissolved and a new one is formed,” he added. Prachanda described his meeting with NC president Girija Prasad Koirala, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Singapore, as “fruitful”.

We’re confident of reaching a consensus soon,” he added.