Maoist latest move knocks Khanal for six

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, who is already facing real acid test since he assumed the top post, today got yet another jolt after the Unified CPN-Maoist, the main ally of his government, refused to join the Cabinet.

Maoists’ refusal to join the government — saying they would not join the government unless the CPN-UML, PM Khanal’s party, had clear understanding about the seven-point agreement reached between him and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on February 3 — also serves as a litmus test to determine how firmly UML walks the talk. The very seven-point deal had catapulted Khanal to the top post.

A disgraced Khanal for the failure to form a Cabinet even after a week in the office as prime minister in a face-saving move today appointed three ministers from his own party — Bishnu Paudel, Bharat Mohan Adhikary and Gangalal Tuladhar — but all are ministries without portfolio.

However, Paudel will take care of the home ministry, the portfolio which has been the bone of contention for the Maoists and UML, Adhikary will handle the finance ministry and Tuladhar will serve in capacity of government spokesperson until further agreement is reached with the Maoists.

“We have decided to support Khanal-led government from the floor, and we will not join it unless his party expresses firm commitment to the seven-point deal,” said Maoist Vice Chairman Narayankaji Shrestha while addressing today’s session of the Parliament.

Shrestha’s remarks followed PM Khanal’s address in the House in which he outlined his administration’s priorities. Khanal said his government’s top priorities would be concluding the peace process, drafting the new constitution on consensus basis and ‘safeguarding nationalism, independence and territorial integrity of the country’. This is the very first point of the seven-point agreement, which, a UML leader said, has also been mentioned in a draft statute prepared by the Maoists for public debates.

On integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants, Khanal said a detailed plan of action would be worked out soon to complete the process.

But leader of the main opposition Ramchandra Paudel observed that integration of combatants was not meant for ‘creating a separate force’ within the state. Paudel advised that the government’s priority should be to conclude the peace process before the new constitution was adopted.

Shrestha today also warned that the Maoists would withdraw support to the Khanal-government if they found it ‘dancing to anti-nationalist forces’ tunes’.

Khanal, during his address, appealed to the main opposition, Nepali Congress, and other parties to join his cabinet.

MJF-N still undecided

KATHMANDU: A central committee meeting of the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Nepal on Thursday could not reach a decision on whether to join the government. “The issue is still under discussion. We are yet to arrive at a conclusion on joining the government,” said MJF-N Chairman Upendra Yadav. According to a Madhes-based leader, a final decision to this effect is likely on Friday. MJF-N had boycotted the February 3 prime ministerial election.