NC open to new deal: Sitaula
Commitment to federalism, republicanism, secularism to stay
KATHMANDU, DEC 13 -
The Nepali Congress is open to signing a new political deal with major political forces, including the UCPN (Maoist), by reiterating its commitment to federalism, republicanism and secularism, according to the party’s General Secretary, Krishna Prasad Sitaula.
This assurance from Sitaula, a key actor, especially in the early stages of the peace process, comes at a time when the UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi and Janajati parties have expressed doubts on the NC and the CPN-UML’s commitment to the changes that all major parties agreed to after the 2006 Janaandolan.
In an interview with the Post, Sitaula said the NC will not backtrack on the agendas as they were incorporated in the party’s official documents, including the election manifesto. “In fact, all these changes took place under the NC’s leadership, including the abolition of the monarchy,” he said, adding that the NC should be seen as “a progressive party and not a conservative one.”
“ Nepali Congress would be committing suicide if it abandons these agendas.”
The NC leader, who is closely engaged with UCPN (Maoist) leaders in urging them to join the CA process, said his party will not bypass the Maoists in the constitution-drafting and government-formation processes, irrespective of its current strength.
Sitaula said engagement with key stakeholders is a must to complete the peace process and constitution drafting within a year, an effort that started in 2005, with the 12-point agreement between the then underground Maoists and the Seven-Party Alliance of the then parliamentary parties.
Senior UCPN (Maoist) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said chances of a new political agreement are high and that it could take place as early as Saturday. “The parties will sign a document expressing their commitment to institutionalise the political achievements made so far.” On the Maoist demand for the formation of a panel to investigate vote-rigging charges, Sitaula said forming such a panel through a political decision was not possible, “as it interferes with the jurisdiction of the Constituent Assembly (CA) and the Constitutional Court.”
“All the demands and political issues should be discussed and settled in the new Constituent Assembly. Our focus should be on calling the first meeting of the CA as soon as possible,” he said.
The NC leader said his party, however, was open to listening to Maoist grievances and complaints at the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) for now. “Maoist leaders have expressed their commitment to join the CA process, so I am optimistic that Saturday’s HLPC meeting see a deal which will pave the way for the first CA meeting,” he said.
“The HLPC will explore a common ground,” said Maoist leader Shrestha, who is urging his party leadership to abandon the demand for amending the constitution to revive politics of consensus.
‘Vacuum if HLPC goes’
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula on Thursday said the HLPC will remain relevant until the formation of a new elected government.
The tenure of the HLPC, a cross-party mechanism formed to guide the election government on policy issues, is expiring in mid-December as per a political agreement among the parties on March 13.
“There will be a political vacuum if the HLPC is dissolved, while there will be no mechanism to make suggestions to the government on political issues,” Sitaula said.
KATHMANDU, DEC 13 -
The Nepali Congress is open to signing a new political deal with major political forces, including the UCPN (Maoist), by reiterating its commitment to federalism, republicanism and secularism, according to the party’s General Secretary, Krishna Prasad Sitaula.
This assurance from Sitaula, a key actor, especially in the early stages of the peace process, comes at a time when the UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi and Janajati parties have expressed doubts on the NC and the CPN-UML’s commitment to the changes that all major parties agreed to after the 2006 Janaandolan.
In an interview with the Post, Sitaula said the NC will not backtrack on the agendas as they were incorporated in the party’s official documents, including the election manifesto. “In fact, all these changes took place under the NC’s leadership, including the abolition of the monarchy,” he said, adding that the NC should be seen as “a progressive party and not a conservative one.”
“ Nepali Congress would be committing suicide if it abandons these agendas.”
The NC leader, who is closely engaged with UCPN (Maoist) leaders in urging them to join the CA process, said his party will not bypass the Maoists in the constitution-drafting and government-formation processes, irrespective of its current strength.
Sitaula said engagement with key stakeholders is a must to complete the peace process and constitution drafting within a year, an effort that started in 2005, with the 12-point agreement between the then underground Maoists and the Seven-Party Alliance of the then parliamentary parties.
Senior UCPN (Maoist) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said chances of a new political agreement are high and that it could take place as early as Saturday. “The parties will sign a document expressing their commitment to institutionalise the political achievements made so far.” On the Maoist demand for the formation of a panel to investigate vote-rigging charges, Sitaula said forming such a panel through a political decision was not possible, “as it interferes with the jurisdiction of the Constituent Assembly (CA) and the Constitutional Court.”
“All the demands and political issues should be discussed and settled in the new Constituent Assembly. Our focus should be on calling the first meeting of the CA as soon as possible,” he said.
The NC leader said his party, however, was open to listening to Maoist grievances and complaints at the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) for now. “Maoist leaders have expressed their commitment to join the CA process, so I am optimistic that Saturday’s HLPC meeting see a deal which will pave the way for the first CA meeting,” he said.
“The HLPC will explore a common ground,” said Maoist leader Shrestha, who is urging his party leadership to abandon the demand for amending the constitution to revive politics of consensus.
‘Vacuum if HLPC goes’
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula on Thursday said the HLPC will remain relevant until the formation of a new elected government.
The tenure of the HLPC, a cross-party mechanism formed to guide the election government on policy issues, is expiring in mid-December as per a political agreement among the parties on March 13.
“There will be a political vacuum if the HLPC is dissolved, while there will be no mechanism to make suggestions to the government on political issues,” Sitaula said.
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