Prime Minister GP Koirala talking to the media about his India visit at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival late Friday afternoon, June 09 06. nepalnews.com/rh
CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal (File photo)
CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has said the dialogue between the government and the Maoists is moving at a snail’s pace, expressing confidence that the talks could well be concluded within weeks.
“We are witnessing that the talks are moving in a snail’s pace. Let’s talk day and night and reach a conclusion. Talks can end within 15 days or even within a week,” Nepal said addressing a gathering of party cadres at the UML central office in Balkhu, Kathmandu, on Saturday.
The UML general secretary also asked the Maoists not to create obstacle in the negotiation process by putting forth new demands every now and then. “I ask the Maoists not to come up with fresh demands so often. This can create disturbance in the dialogue process,” he said hinting at the demands of the Maoist party that the House of Representatives (HoR) and the present government be dissolved and constitution of 1990 be scrapped right away to pave way for an interim government, inclusive of the Maoists, and go for elections to the constituent assembly to draft a new constitution.
He made clear that the UML was in favour of speedy talks and added that the talks could end at the earliest if Prime Minister GP Koirala and Maoist supremo Prachanda sat for direct talks.
Nepal reiterated the stand of the ruling seven-party alliance that the HoR cannot be dissolved immediately.
“The parliament is being given continuity for some time as there are few more important declarations to make as per the spirit of the parliament. Continuity of the House is also necessary not to allow reactionary elements to raise their heads,” he explained, making it known that his party was in favour of an interim government with participation from the Maoists.
Maoist chairman Pranchada in an interview with Kantipur TV, a private sector TV channel, on Thursday said the seven parties had lost focus on the main issues and were trying give continuity to the present government and the parliament in a “ridiculous and shameful manner”. He warned that the country might see renewed bloodshed if the parties tried to sideline the Maoists.