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RAM KUMAR KAMAT /PRAKASH ACHARYA / TIKA R PRADHAN
KATHMANDU: With talks among the four major political forces failing to cut ice a day before the Constituent Assembly’s term expires, dissolution of the CA is almost inevitable unless there is a miracle tomorrow.
In a bid to forge consensus, a second round of talks was held from 9:00 to 11:00 pm but the parties failed again to agree. UML negotiator KP Oli said they failed to reach understanding because the Maoists and United Democratic Madhesi Front stuck to their stances. “They asked us if we had anything new, and we replied in the negative,” Oli told mediapersons.
Earlier, leaders of major parties said, “Only through a miracle will it be possible to promulgate the new constitution by tomorrow night. Otherwise, it is almost certain that the country will plunge into constitutional vacuum, anarchy and uncertainty.”
Talks among the four major political forces — the Unified CPN-Maoist, CPN-UML, Nepali Congress and UDMF — failed to bridge differences on the identity of federal units although the parties had already reached consensus on almost all other issues of the new constitution.
UCPN-M and UDMF leaders said fresh CA elections could be the next legitimate step.
NC and UML leaders, however, said it was a Maoist ploy to announce state of emergency to capture state power. “The Maoists and UDMF want to hold fresh elections and misuse state power to secure majority. However, we will never let it happen,” NC leader Ram Sharan Mahat said. “If the Maoists and UDMF come up honestly by tomorrow, promulgating the new statute will still be possible.”
Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha held the NC and UML responsible for the failed talks. “Neither do the NC and UML want consensus on federalism, nor to put unsettled issues to the vote in the CA,” Shrestha said.
UDMF leader Raj Kishor Yadav said identity based federalism was non-negotiable for them.
“We cannot surrender in the name of consensus,” added Yadav.
Crocodile tears
KATHMANDU: The Maoists appeared indifferent to the prospects of the CA being dissolved while the negotiations were on. However, just as they emerged from the meeting, DPM Narayan Kaji Shrestha shed tears as he briefed mediapersons. “I regret to inform that the talks have failed. I do not see any hope of a breakthrough,” he said. “The CA is going to die. Two-third members of the CA favour ethnic identity based federalism. Yet, the NC and UML rejected the idea of putting the issue to vote,” Shrestha said. He ruled out emergency.
UCPN-M and UDMF stances
• multiple identity based federalism
• 6 to 8 pradeshes model proposed by NC, UML
• 11-pradesh model proposed by the Maoists themselves
• model specifying 6 to14 pradeshes now and deciding other disputes through a federal commission later
• giving identity of at least two ethnic groups to each federal unit.
NC, UML stances
• multiple identity based federalism
• 6 to 8 pradeshes model proposed by NC, UML
• 11-pradesh model proposed by the Maoists themselves
• model specifying 6 to14 pradeshes now and deciding other disputes through a federal commission later
• giving identity of at least two ethnic groups to each federal unit.
Posted on: 2012-05-27 04:22:51
Crocodile tears! Never believe, never trust on things they say. After 4 years of do nothing attitude and unprecedented looting of this country, One last trick they have up their sleeves is to fool you with helplessness that was created by themselves. It is an illusion and they truly believe people will fall for it. As the time passed, these so called Maoist have done things and said things which has pretty much reached to everyone in the darkest corners of the county and if even today you still believe these are the leaders that will show you salvation and deliver a promising future for the country, I am sorry you have been brain-washed. Time to wake up! The promise was to bring the country together through a constitution that is, if not anything better than that existed, and now listen to the garbage they are spitting out on the street, Oh, yeah that promise is being delivered in a package deal for all of us to swallow. A fragmented country, neighbors fighting neighbors, border wars, not wanting to share resources, blocking of trade routes, secessionist drive, minority/majority fights, blockades and the list goes on. The ideological bullshit is nasty and it will deliver nothing but chaos. After going through series of democratic movements, this one is on the verge of delivering a nasty surprise. Just shows that you should not be taking democratic lessons or lead from people who know nothing about it. On the surface, they walk the walk and talk the talk but the power hunger that drives these certain individuals among Maoist will be the ultimate decider in this race, the result will make fools out of a lot of good people with genuine intent. How is it possible, certain individuals are dictating everything? The rest of the CA bunch is just collecting dust and drawing salaries, is that what a constitutional assembly is like? Making a joke out of collective decision making process. Tiniest thing is being used as a bargaining chip, bargain to no end. No logic to discussion, no principle to adhere to or rules to bind, this process is never ending, they ask for 3 more months, 300 years will be not enough with this kind of talk. Shifting goal, shifting attitude, goal post moved in the middle of the game. What a non-sense! A lot to grow up, some childish idealism on the part of one, obscure and un-patriotic vision on the part of another and yet another group filled with fear of outward division based on ethnicity. This recipe is powerful enough to drown this country for a longtime to come, if cooler heads do not prevail. The adamant brinkmanship these groups are pursuing is worrisome to say the least. Time will tell, if the cliff is tall enough to banish some of these idiots when they take the leap, they will I am sure of it. m.milos, Nepal
Posted on: 2012-05-27 10:18:35
As a student of sociology how much i understand communism is that they are supposed to be anti caste but i do not understand what kink of communism these Maoist follow. with what base are they demanding jati based division of nepali state. In todays society when people are trying to do away with caste Nepali is moving backward to legalize it and increase disunity and hatred among people. pragya gautam, new delhi