Guarantee consensus politics: UCPN (M)

KATHMANDU, DEC 09 -
In its first post-election meeting with the two largest parties, the UCPN (Maoist) has sought “constitutional guarantee” of consensual politics, independent investigations into alleged election irregularities and a renewed commitment to the 12-point agreement signed in 2005 which brokered the peace deal that ended the decade-long Maoist conflict.

The third largest party, which has grown sceptical of the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML’s interests to accommodate it in the constitution writing process, put forth the demands on Sunday. It was responding to the two major parties’ request to join the government and the Constituent Assembly process.

The UCPN (Maoist) and 18 other fringe parties had announced on Saturday that they will boycott the CA until their demands are addressed.

In the Sunday talks, leaders, however, failed to iron out major differences. While the NC and the UML pushed for settling all the issues, including the demands for constitution amendment, through the CA process itself, the UCPN (Maoist) sought an express commitment from the two parties before the CA process actually begins.

The Maoist party has it that there is no point in joining the CA process without the prior commitment, as the two larger parties have gained enough strength through the November 19 election to garner a two-thirds majority needed to endorse a new constitution without the UCPN (Maoist) consent.

The NC and the UML command close to a two-thirds majority in the CA with 371 of the total 601 seats.

According to the Interim Constitution, the new constitution can be endorsed by at least a two-thirds majority. “We have conveyed our bottom-line; it is up to the major parties to take a call now,” UCPN (Maoist) spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota told the Post. The UCPN (Maoist) also sought an express commitment from the two parties to take ownership of the progresses made by the erstwhile CA. It further said that all the parties should reiterate their commitment to progressive restructuring of the state as stated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, formation of the Truth and Reconcilia-tion Commission and new commitment to all the political agreements made with various forces in the past.

“A broader political agreement among parties, like the historic 12-point understanding, will ensure promulgation of the new constitution within a year. This is our pre-condition to joining the CA,” said Sapkota.

The NC and the UML are, however, for settling the Maoist demands through the CA. “We suggested settling all the issues in the CA,” UML leader Bam Dev Gautam said.

On the demand for constitutional amendment, the two parties said they are fully committed to consensus, but will not go for constitution amendment. “Spending time on amending the constitution will hamper the constitution writing process,” said Gautam. After the meeting, Dahal said his party is committed to joining hands with the NC and the UML if they are really interested to engage the Maoists.

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