Bhattarai hopes deal by Aug 31

Says consensus govt by then to address all issues

TIKA R PRADHAN

Kathmandu: Even as people fear a period of political uncertainty with peace and constitution-drafting processes virtually stalled, Maoist Vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai today claimed that all the issues related to peace and the statute would be well dealt with by August 31.

Talking to a select group of reporters at party headquarters Paris Danda today, Bhattarai expressed hope that the parties would forge consensus on impending issues of peace and constitution-drafting

processes between August 13 and August 31.

Bhattarai, the most likely candidate to lead a national consensus government as of now, said such a government would be in place before August 31 and that will begin implementing the agreements reached among parties.

Prospects of a new administration are more likely with Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal already making an announcement that he would step down if no tangible progress was made on peace and constitution fronts. And at current pace, the prime minister’s resignation appears inevitable.

Asked about the basis for his claim, Bhattarai said he had been involved in all the nitty-gritty of peace and constitution-drafting process right from the signing of the 12-point agreement between then CPN-Maoist with then Seven Party Alliance. “I am making the claims on the basis of my experience and discussions with national and international power centres,” said Bhattarai, adding, bi- and tri-lateral meetings were on to iron out the differences and the talks have been positive.

Bhattarai, however, made it clear that he would lead only a national consensus government, not a majority one, even if his party insisted.

Bhattarai echoed his party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal that parties were very close on most of the issues related to peace and constitution-drafting processes. Dahal during a recent interview with this daily had said, “Things are not as complicated as they appear and parties have sorted out almost all the issues, save some.”

Backing Dahal’s statement, Bhattarai said the only complicated matter in the constitution-drafting process was the issue of federalism. “But this can be resolved by forging agreement,” Bhattarai said in Dahal’s vein.

Stating that Prime Minister Khanal’s resignation was a must to pave the way for national consensus government, Bhattarai also tried to dispel what he called rumours that the Nepali Congress could lead the next government. “NC has now realised that a Maoist-led government is need of the hour for the logical conclusion of peace process.”

(Published in The Himalayan Times on August 9, 2011)

Khanal buys time till Aug 13

Vows to step down if no tangible progress on peace front by then

Tika R Pradhan

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal today said he was ready to step down on August 13 if he failed to ensure that major tasks of peace process would be completed by August 31.

At a press conference organised at his official residence in Baluwatar about an hour after he administered oath of office and secrecy to new ministers, Khanal said his government’s significance would end if the parties failed to conclude major tasks of peace process and forge consensus by August 13. “It will be my political and moral duty to step down if we fail to conclude the major tasks of peace process by August 13,” said Khanal.

Khanal urged his coalition partner the Unified CPN-Maoist and the main opposition Nepali Congress to take his appeal seriously and start working to conclude the remaining tasks related to peace process. The prime minister conceded that there had been no tangible progress on peace front and that the parties had failed to implement a number of agreements signed in the last four years.

He said the tasks of determining modality, number, rank harmonisation, standard norms and rehabilitation package for Maoist combatants should be completed at the earliest.

On today’s Cabinet reshuffle, Khanal said it was the prerogative of the prime minister to induct new members into the government whenever he wanted and added that it was also the right of the coalition partners to demand change of ministers.

Khanal, however, tried to come clean today saying he had been attacked from within his party and by others. The prime minister did not miss the opportunity to lash out at NC for obstructing House proceedings. “I don’t think NC can justify its move to obstruct the House when the five-point deal is under the purview of the parliamentary monitoring committee,” said Khanal.

He added that going for yet another majority government would do no good to country and that the parties must think over the issue seriously.

The prime minister earlier today had administered oath of office to 10 ministers at Shital Niwas in the presence of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav. UML leaders had boycotted the ceremony to protest Khanal’s move.

New faces in govt

From UCPN-M

• Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha

• Minister for Information and Communications Post Bahadur Bogati

• Minister for Health and Population Lokendra Bista

• Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Pampha Bhusal

• Minister for Land Reforms and Management Hisila Yami

• Minister for Science and Technology Lekhraj Bhatta

• Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Jayapuri Gharti

• Minister for Industry Mahendra Paswan

• Minister for Youth and Sports Onsari Gharti

From MJF-N

• Minister for Commerce and Supplies Bijaya Kumar Yadav

(Published in The Himalayan Times on August 2, 2011)