One day ahead of the deadline for the formation of a consensus government to expire, the UCPN (Maoist) and NC, who have laid claims for the post of prime minister, do not seem to relinquish their claims for leadership.
“Since the Maoists have their army and renounced violence, we cannot agree on their leadership,” said NC leader Ram Saran Mahat. “Therefore, we have been claiming the leadership in the national unity government. We hope they will agree on our candidate.”
The UCPN (Maoist) standing committee meeting on Saturday has decided to show flexibility on issues related to the peace process to get other political parties to agree for their prime ministerial candidate Baburam Bhattarai.
Maoist leader Janardan Sharma also said the political parties have almost reached an agreement on the issue of peace process. “Maoist leadership is necessary to complete the peace process. NC will be given the leadership in the next government,” he said.
The Maoists had proposed NC to back Bhattarai in the first phase, until completion of the peace and constitutional process and then Maoists would back an NC-led government. However, NC has rejected the proposal, saying it would back the Maoists only if there has been a substantial progress in the peace process.
NC has proposed three-time PM Sher Bahadur Deuba as its consensus candidate for the post. After a prolonged squabbling over the party’s candidacy, the parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel has been proposed as majoritarian candidate.
Both the Maoists and NC have been emphasising a national unity government. But, each party has urged the other to support its claim for leadership. They have also tentatively agreed on rotational leadership.
The Standing Committee meeting of UML has decided not to support the Maoists to form national consensus government under their leadership until they come up with a concrete plan to conclude peace process. The third biggest party in the CA, UML has a decisive role in formation of the government. However, the party has made clear that it will not lay claim for the post.
The fourth biggest force in the CA, the Madhesi alliance also has asked the Maoists to come up with a concrete plan for peace process. The alliance also has not openly supported NC. The alliance wants a commitment on Madhes issues.
Each party has been trying to woo the alliance. With UML unwilling to support the Maoists and the alliance undecided, there is slim chance of reaching a consensus. The parties can either ask the president for more time for forging a consensus or move into election of PM through a majority vote in the Parliament. The former is highly unlikely given the political development util Saturday.
Dewan Rai