General secretary of the ruling CPN UML, Madhav Kumar Nepal, has said that his party would quit the coalition government by Baisakh (mid-April 2005) if no peace talks were held with the Maoist insurgents.

“If we fail to hold constructive dialogue with the Maoists, we will walk out of the government,” Nepal declared at a program in Baglung Saturday. According to reports, the UML leader who is a member of the High-level Peace Committee (HLPC) mentioned that the government was interacting with all major political forces as part of seeking a solution to the exiting crisis.

Nepal’s statement comes in a marked difference from his earlier stance. He, backed by majority of central leaders, had flatly been ruling out the possibility of his parry’s departure from the government.

Contrary to the announcement of the government to go for polls if the Maoists do not come to the negotiating table by January 13, Nepal said the situation was not favourable for elections. “Election is not the best of options. It is about time that the government geared up for constituent assembly,” Nepal said adding that his party was no obstacle for the reinstatement of the House of Representatives, the key demand of the Nepali Congress-led agitating parties.

Commenting on the resignation of Bhim Rawal, one of his trusted lieutenants, as a member of the sub-committee under the HLPC that came as an indication of the growing tensions within the ruling coalition, Nepal said that Rawal resigned after consulting with him. nepalnews.com mbk Jan 08 05