Maoists in dilemma over joining govt

REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, Feb 24: The Maoists are scheduled to hold a crucial meeting of the party standing committee on Thursday to decide whether or not to join the new coalition in light of the UML Central Committee (CC)´s explanatory notes on the so-called secret seven-point agreement.

"We will discuss all aspects of the UML´s response on the seven-point deal and take a decision in the standing committee," said Maoist leader Narayankaji Shrestha.

Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal also held a meeting with top UML leaders, including Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, at Singha Durbar on Wednesday and asked them to unambiguously clarify their stance on the seven-point deal.

"We explained them the meaning and significance of the party´s decision. We asked them to settle the dispute right away and not prolong it. They told us that they would discuss the issue in the party and sit for talks again," UML leader KP Oli, who participated in the meeting, told Republica.

The UML´s CC decision on Tuesday states that they would hold talks with the Maoists on contentious issues and settle them.

"But we told them that the seven-point agreement is clear and unambiguous and asked them to clarify what they meant by contentious issues," said Shrestha, who also participated in the meeting.

The Maoists have also reiterated that they would not join the government if the home portfolio is not given them.

"It is part of the seven-point deal. We won´t join the government without the home ministry," said Maoist politburo member Shakti Basnet.

"The explanatory notes have given multiple meanings to the agreement. We will first understand if the UML is committed to implementation of the agreement before taking any decision," he added.

According to the party leaders, Dahal is likely to meet the prime minister Thursday morning before holding the meeting of the party standing committee.

The UML leaders said they are not sure if the Maoists would join the government. "It is still unclear whether the Maoists would join the government," said UML leader Rabindra Adhikari who is close to Khanal.

The UML CC on Tuesday owned up the controversial seven-point deal reached between Khanal and Dahal, but the UML body diluted the spirit of the agreement through explanatory notes, much to disappointment of the Maoist party.

In the seven-point agreement, Khanal and Dahal had agreed to form a separate security force comprising Maoist combatants. On the issue, the UML CC´s explanatory notes state that the tasks of the peace process and constitution writing will be advanced through mutual agreement between the major political parties in accordance with the interim constitution, Comprehensive Peace Accord and other past pacts.

Likewise, on the rotational leadership between the Maoist and UML party chiefs, the CC explained that consensus among major parties was essential to deliver peace and the new constitution.