Stalemate as NC-UML chasm widens
KATHMANDU, DEC 22 -
Despite having shared camaraderie often in the past, the Nepali Congress and the CPN- UML have been dragging their feet on a power-sharing deal for over two weeks as each has grown sceptical of the other.
Sources say the dispute over changing the incumbent President has set the two largest parties apart. While the NC wants to retain President Ram Baran Yadav, a former NC lawmaker, the UML has been demanding that Yadav be replaced by its candidate in due recognition of its second largest position.
The two parties are meeting on Sunday after a silence of over two weeks. The parties had initiated talks for sharing powers in the new political set-up in early December, which, however, was discontinued for a number of reasons.
One of the spoilers, UML leaders said, was NC President Sushil Koirala “secretly meting” Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairman of the third largest party UCPN (Maoist), to discuss government formation without informing the UML . After the “secret” meeting, the NC supported the Maoist party’s proposal to continue with High-level Political Committee (HLPC) against the UML ’s plan to dissolve it. The UML argues that the continuity of the HLPC would undermine the existence of the sovereign Constituent Assembly.
The Maoist party that was refusing to participate in the CA agreed to come on board following NC ’s proposal to address its issues through a new political deal.
“The recent activities of the Congress show it wants to go ahead leaving us behind. It’s up to the NC to adopt consensus politics, which we hope it remains committed to,” said UML Secretary Shankar Pokharel.
Though not spoken publicly so far, UML leaders are also considering leading a majority government if efforts to form consensus government fail. “Definitely, Plan B comes when Plan A turns futile,” said a UML leader.
NC leaders, however, say they do not intend to isolate any partner of the historic 12-point understanding (reached among the seven-party alliance and the Maoists in Delhi in 2005) and a power-sharing deal materialises only after the two sides work it out.
“We will try to bring every partner of the 12-point understanding in the constitution writing process,” said NC leader Minendra Rijal.
What UML wants
The UML has already proposed sharing the top five posts of President, Vice President, prime minister, Speaker and chairman of the constitutional committee of the CA for a “respectable” deal among at least three major parties. The UML has laid claim to the presidential post. It argues that the Maoist party has led governments and the NC has wholly got the presidential berth in the last five years.
Before pushing its own proposal, the UML is awaiting a consensus blueprint from the NC . Immediately after the CA election, NC President Koirala was requested to come up with a power-sharing idea. Asked about the delay in proposing a deal from the NC , Minendra Rijal said his party would not do it “in haste”. “Rushing a power-sharing deal is not easy. Both parties should prepare it.”
Despite having shared camaraderie often in the past, the Nepali Congress and the CPN- UML have been dragging their feet on a power-sharing deal for over two weeks as each has grown sceptical of the other.
Sources say the dispute over changing the incumbent President has set the two largest parties apart. While the NC wants to retain President Ram Baran Yadav, a former NC lawmaker, the UML has been demanding that Yadav be replaced by its candidate in due recognition of its second largest position.
The two parties are meeting on Sunday after a silence of over two weeks. The parties had initiated talks for sharing powers in the new political set-up in early December, which, however, was discontinued for a number of reasons.
One of the spoilers, UML leaders said, was NC President Sushil Koirala “secretly meting” Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairman of the third largest party UCPN (Maoist), to discuss government formation without informing the UML . After the “secret” meeting, the NC supported the Maoist party’s proposal to continue with High-level Political Committee (HLPC) against the UML ’s plan to dissolve it. The UML argues that the continuity of the HLPC would undermine the existence of the sovereign Constituent Assembly.
The Maoist party that was refusing to participate in the CA agreed to come on board following NC ’s proposal to address its issues through a new political deal.
“The recent activities of the Congress show it wants to go ahead leaving us behind. It’s up to the NC to adopt consensus politics, which we hope it remains committed to,” said UML Secretary Shankar Pokharel.
Though not spoken publicly so far, UML leaders are also considering leading a majority government if efforts to form consensus government fail. “Definitely, Plan B comes when Plan A turns futile,” said a UML leader.
NC leaders, however, say they do not intend to isolate any partner of the historic 12-point understanding (reached among the seven-party alliance and the Maoists in Delhi in 2005) and a power-sharing deal materialises only after the two sides work it out.
“We will try to bring every partner of the 12-point understanding in the constitution writing process,” said NC leader Minendra Rijal.
What UML wants
The UML has already proposed sharing the top five posts of President, Vice President, prime minister, Speaker and chairman of the constitutional committee of the CA for a “respectable” deal among at least three major parties. The UML has laid claim to the presidential post. It argues that the Maoist party has led governments and the NC has wholly got the presidential berth in the last five years.
Before pushing its own proposal, the UML is awaiting a consensus blueprint from the NC . Immediately after the CA election, NC President Koirala was requested to come up with a power-sharing idea. Asked about the delay in proposing a deal from the NC , Minendra Rijal said his party would not do it “in haste”. “Rushing a power-sharing deal is not easy. Both parties should prepare it.”
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