Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has reiterated his commitment to implement the past agreements and urged the political parties to join hands in completing the constitution writing.
Addressing the parliament for the first time after elected as the PM on Friday, Bhattarai gave a long list of what had happened in the past to justify why peace process is important, aiming at the second and third largest parties in the parliament who are in opposition. His desperation is understandable as he has not been able to give his cabinet full shape even in three weeks. A faction of his own party has stood against his steps to expedite the stalled peace process.
Baidhya faction has launched campaign against party’s decision to handover keys of the containers and return of property seized during insurgency period. His own coalition partner Madhesi alliance has been exerting pressure on him to implement the four-point agreement, which includes mass amnesty to the convicted during the insurgency.
“Since I have been involved in the peace process from our party since inception, I am deeply concerned,” he said. “We have not forgotten the promises we made to the people during the joint movement to overthrow monarchy in the country. It is my responsibility to make sure the past agreements and understanding be implemented. I will be devoting my time for this.”
He urged all the stakeholders to cooperate in peace and constitution drafting process. “If we fail to promulgate a new constitution within stipulated time, the next generation will curse us,” he said. “Only the reactionaries will benefit if we continue the fight.”
Bhattarai also stressed on double-digit economic growth and highlighted the need to create conducive environment for internal and foreign investment in the country. He said the coming year will be announced as investment year.
He said the his government has major task of taking the peace process to a logical conclusion but at the same time provide some immediate relief to the public.
He expressed hope that re-grouping the PLA combatants could be started by agreeing on modality of integration and rehabilitation package. “This will help build trust," he said.
Bhattarai also expressed his commitment to democratic norms such as press freedom, multiparty system, human rights and right to speech. He also said the government is committed to set up the truth and reconciliation commission to look into the cases of human rights violation and deliver justice to the victims during the insurgency.