UML-Maoist dispute delays cabinet

REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, Feb 7: A new wave of disputes inside the ruling CPN-UML following the disclosure of a secret deal reached with Maoists, along with the portfolio row, disrupted newly elected Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal´s scheduled plan of announcing a small cabinet on Sunday, forcing him to take oath of office alone.

The scheduled function had to be canceled at the last minute due to disputes between the two major ruling parties -- UCPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML -- over who should head the home ministry.

While the UML leaders at a meeting with Maoists argued that some of the key ministries including home, finance and defense should be led by the prime minister´s party, Maoist leaders accused the UML of violating the previous understanding by staking claim to home ministry.

The ruling UML at the party´s standing committee (SC) meeting on Sunday decided to not give up its claim to the home ministry. The meeting named Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Bishnu Paudel and Gangalal Tuladhar as the ministerial candidates from the party. The meeting nominated Adhikari for finance, Paudel for home and Tuladhar for ministry of education.

“We couldn´t finalize the power-sharing issue as we [UML leaders] are for the prime minister´s party to head home and other key ministries but the Maoist leaders have also staked claimed to the same ministries,” UML Secretary Yubaraj Gyawali told Republica.

Maoist leaders who were all set to name new ministers to be sworn in Sunday, took strong exception to UML´s claim saying it was a blatant violation of the understanding reached with Khanal.

UML leader KP Sharma Oli at a meeting with Maoist leaders had clearly said that the party was not ready to allow Maoist leaders to lead a key portfolio like home. When Maoist leaders referred the understanding, Oli and other UML leaders expressed ignorance about such an agreement. They argued that they would not own any decision taken by any UML leader at his/her individual level.

“I am the one who leads the UML talks team that is mandated by the party to hold dialogues with other parties and I am unaware of any agreement reached with Maoist leaders,” a leader quoted Oli as saying.

According to sources, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal then phoned former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal requesting him to help settle the issue. “But Nepal echoed Oli,” the sources said.

Maoist Chief Whip Posta Bahadur Bogati said they objected to the UML decision as the latter took a unilateral move with regard to power-sharing without consulting the two-party taskforce formed for the purpose.

“There was an understanding between the two party leaders to give the Maoists the home portfolio. But all of a sudden the UML leaders on Sunday staked their claim to the portfolio,” Bogati, who is also a member of the taskforce, said. “The UML´s changed stance has taken us by surprise.”

Maoist leaders have decided not to name any ministerial candidates from their party without first resolving the power sharing row.

Bogati said they wouldn´t have attended the ceremony organized to administer oath of office to the prime minister, had the UML decided to administer oath to UML ministers.

Maoists canceled the party´s standing committee meeting scheduled to name the ministers from the party after the “UML´s changed stance”.

Maoist leaders also claimed that they may stay out of the government if the UML stays put on its claim over key ministries and doesn´t show flexibility.