Maoists, UML come up with joint statement

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal today signed a joint statement in a bid to, what CPN-UML and UCPN-M called, rid the seven-point deal of ambiguity.

With the joint statement made public, the Maoists, it seems, have won the home ministry, the bone of contention for both the parties since Khanal was elevated to the post of the prime minister.

Today’s joint declaration states, “We reaffirm our commitment to abide by the spirit of the seven-point deal.” The Maoists not only had refused to join the government but also had pressed the PM and his party to own up the agreement and abide by it.

Following the release of today’s statement, Maoist Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the Maoists would soon join the government as, he said, ‘the prime minister is ready to give home portfolio to the Maoists’.

But, a close aide to Khanal said the prime minister had not agreed on the issue. Nonetheless, for Khanal, today’s joint statement has paved the way for Cabinet expansion, which has been stalled for days with only three UML leaders appointed ministers since he became the PM.

The joint statement has also called upon all the political parties to join the government. “We urge all the political parties to participate in the government and we want to make it clear that we would like to move ahead with consensus, including on the issue of government formation,” read the statement.

Both the parties have tried to assuage suspicion regarding a clause in the seven-point deal — that talked about formation of a separate force of former Maoist fighters or by integrating Maoist fighters into different security agencies — saying ‘we want to clarify that the objective of the deal is to conclude the peace process through consensus among the political parties and the special committee and accomplish the constitution-drafting process through the Constituent Assembly as envisaged by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement’. “We appeal to all the parties not to harbour any suspicion or buy rumours,” added the statement.

Immediately after the signing of the statement, Maoist Chairman Dahal expressed hope that the government would get full shape within a day or two. But, the Nepali Congress, which has taken strong exception to the deal and is observing the unfolding events, does not seem to be convinced and termed the statement an eyewash. “This is an utterly ridiculous statement,” said NC leader Ram Sharan Mahat. “How can they appeal to the parties to join the government when they have decided to distribute the ministries between them.”