NC, UML seal 3-pt agreement

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  Differences persist over key posts of PM, President

KATHMANDU, DEC 08 - In their first post-election meeting on Saturday, the two largest parties— Nepali Congress and CPN-UML —agreed in principle to share power in the new government based on their strength.

The differences, however, remain unresolved as they failed to agree how top positions would be shared. Still, the two parties, which had been in informal talks for the last few days, finally came up with a three-point agreement which, they said, would clear most of the disagreements and contentions between them and other political parties in the CA.

In the agreement signed by NC President Sushil Koirala and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, the parties expressed commitment “to respect the people’s verdict in the election” and accomplish the remaining tasks of constitution writing within the stipulated time and agreed to initiate dialogue with the UCPN (Maoist) that has been threatening to boycott the CA. The parties also thanked all concerned stakeholders who helped made the election a success.

“We respect the fresh verdict reflected in the election and agreed to go ahead in unison to complete the unfulfilled political

responsibilities,” states the agreement.

 The UCPN (Maoist), which was the largest party after the 2008 election, has refused to take the seats it secured under the proportional representation (PR) category claiming that there was widespread rigging in the polls. The party has demanded that an independent probe be set up to investigate the election irregularities, which the major parties have rubbished.

The NC and the UML which have emerged as the two largest parties in the recently held CA election are locking horns over sharing of key positions, including the president, prime minister, speaker amongst themselves.

 The UML is pressing for a new package deal on power sharing including election of president and vice-president as per the fresh mandate demonstrated in the second CA election. UML leaders are claiming the presidential post if the NC is to lead the government and share the remaining three posts—vice-president, speaker and chairman of the Constitutional Committee under the CA—as per the major parties’ strength demonstrated in the CA.

 On the other hand, the NC has stood against the idea of replacing president arguing that the term of the head of state would not expire unless the CA promulgates a new constitution.

However, the Maoists have been refusing to join the CA unless an independent commission is formed to probe into “poll irregularities”.

 The Interim Constitution states the new president will be elected once the constitution is promulgated through the election.

“We are already getting update through media

regarding the presidential election but today we did not discuss on the disputed issues. We will discuss the issues once the CA is constituted,” NC General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula told the Post, adding that the new CA will be constituted by December-end.

UML’s General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel said issues of power-sharing were not discussed in detail at the meeting after senior leaders agreed to move ahead in unison. “We are for a package deal on power-sharing as per the fresh mandate,” Pokharel said, informing that the NC and the UML are holding separate discussions with the Maoist on Sunday. The three-party meeting, according to the leaders, will be convened once their bilateral meetings are over.

Reviewing the election, both the parties have termed it fairer as compared to the previous polls and urged the Maoist to accept it. “Winning or losing the election is always natural in periodic elections. The Maoists

have no other alternative but to accept the election

result. Polls were not rigged,” said Situala.

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