In a bid to increase their bargaining power while negotiating with the ruling NC-UML parties, the UCPN (M)-led alliance of 30 opposition parties is gearing up for what it says will be a decisive street agitation.
The UCPN (M) and its allies are leaving no stone unturned to stage a show of strength on 28 February. They are preparing to bring thousands of cadres to Kathmandu from across the country for a mass rally.
They say the 28 February rally will be culmination of a series of protest programs, which they have been carrying out after a panel was formed in the Constituent Assembly (CA) to hold a vote on the contents of the new constitution.
The UCPN (M) and the Madhesi Front had set a precondition that they would resume talks with the NC and the UML only after cancellation or suspension of the voting process in the CA.
However, talks are yet to restart even though the CA Chair Subhas Nembang has already suspended the voting process by postponing the CA session for an indefinite period.
It seems that the UCPN (M) and the Madhesi Front will resume talks only after proving relevance of their political agendas through the 28 rally. The NC and the UML are also waiting for this day, hoping that failure of the 28 February rally will further diminish the opposition's bargaining power.
The UCPN (M)-led alliance has warned of taking actions against those of their cadres who will not turn up in their show of strength.
"All those who are affiliated to any of our 30 parties will have to necessarily come to Kathmandu," said Prem Bahadur Singh, spokesperson for the alliance. "If they don't, they will face actions from their respective parties. We have also asked our party members to come to Kathmandu from abroad."
However, the UCPN (M) leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi says participation in the 28 February rally is not compulsory and no action will be taken against those who do not participate.
However, a UCPN (M) leader told Nepali Times that those who will not participate in this protest program will lose their membership. "It's a do or die situation for us," said he.
Om Astha Rai