UCPN (M) preps for trade-off with NC

Maoist party ready to support NC-led govt in exchange for plum posts
KATHMANDU, DEC 29 -
In a strategic move, the UCPN (Maoist) is preparing to trade off its support for the President and the government leadership with the largest party, Nepali Congress ( NC ), for some plum posts within and outside the Constituent Assembly.

Sources said despite differences in the party, the UCPN (Maoist) is willing to support the NC -led government and the continuity of incumbent President Ram Baran Yadav in return for two key positions: the leadership of the proposed cross-party mechanism, which is said to be placed outside the CA, and the post of either speaker of the CA or Chairman of the Constitutional Committee. Maoist leaders said they are prepared to join hands with the NC and lend full support on all issues in return for the posts as that would serve the Maoist party’s purpose of pushing its agendas in the new constitution.

“We do not have much concern about the government. Our focus is on the constitution drafting process and if the NC demonstrates flexibility in accommodating our agendas, we see the possibility of some trade off,” said Haribol Gajurel, a leader close to UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. The Maoist party and the NC leaders have been in negotiation for the last couple of weeks.

The UCPN (M) reckons that its presence in the key bodies within and outside the CA would help incorporate its favoured agendas, including the identity-based federalism and a presidential system of government in the new constitution. Following the defeat in the November election, one of UCPN (M)’s immediate concerns is to keep a close tab on the constitution writing process to maintain its influence the drafting process.

Maoist leaders said the party had grown optimistic about entering into partnership with the NC given its recent flexibility in addressing demands, including formation of a probe panel to investigate into alleged poll rigging. On December 24, the NC , the UCPN (M) and the CPN-UML signed a four-point agreement committing to establish the said probe panel, a cross-party mechanism, to guide the overall CA process, and draft the constitution within a year taking full ownership of the past achievements (a secular, republic and federal set up of the state).

 “Recent developments indicate that it would be easier for us to implement our agenda in an NC -led government,” said a Maoist leader. The strategic partnership with the NC , the leader said, would also help keep the second largest party, UML in its size.

An apprehensive UML has already grown sceptical of the NC . According to Maoist leaders, the perceived distance between the NC and the UML has widened ever since they signed the four-point agreement despite UML opposition.

The Maoist’s assurance to support the NC in forming a new government and keeping intact the incumbent President has further polarised the Congress and the UML. Holding a fresh election of the President is one of the major demands of the UML.

Suggestions by a section of the NC that it should take the UML as a main competitive force mean the Congress’ immediate option is to enter into partnership with the UCPN (M), said Gajurel. “This is a major reason behind the growing proximity between the NC and the Maoist party.” In a Central Working Committee meeting last week, NC leaders were divided on partnership with the UML. But the NC chose to put into stake its relations with the UML by fulfiling some of the major demands of the UCPN (Maoist), such as forming a cross-party mechanism.

As of now, the NC , however, has remained mum over fulfiling Maoists’ other demands under this “trade off”. NC leaders argue that it adopted a flexible stance only to bring the Maoist party into the CA and “the mission has been completed”. “We do not rule out collaborating with the Maoists, but any further compromise is unlikely,” said NC leader Prakash Saran Mahat. On constitutional agenda, the NC and the UML stand together and there is pressure on both the parties to walk together until the formation of a new government.

Many Maoist leaders also concede that establishing a cordial relation with the NC is not easy. “The party should work hard to make an alliance with the NC to avoid the possibility of drafting a new constitution through voting, as the NC and the UML command two-thirds of the votes in the parliament,” said Gajurel. 

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