Leaders for public mobilisation to initiate talks with rebels

April 7, 2002
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Post Report

KATHMANDU, April 7:Leaders of the major political parties in the country today suggested the newly formed all- party committee to mobilise people for creating an atmosphere of talks between the government and the outlawed Maoists.

“It should not go ahead with retaliatory mood,” said Hriydesh Tripathi of Nepal Sadbhawana Party, while speaking at the face to face programme at the Reporters’ Club.

Tripathi, however, ruled out the possibility of constitution amendment in the current session of parliament and said, “Both ruling and the main opposition parties are not willing to begin the amendment process.”

He also accused the CPN (UML) of shadowing the constitution amendment process by putting forward the demand of an interim government for election purpose.

Tripathi suggested the Speaker of the House of Representatives to take initiatives for resuming talks between the government and the Maoists.

“The Maoists have recently expressed their intention to use the Parliament as the initiator to resume the talks,” Tripathi added but he did not disclose the person he made contact with.

Leader of CPN- UML Bam Dev Gautam said that the recently signed agreement was good initiation to bring the common programme to the people immediately.

“All the parties have agreed to launch a common programme to fight murder, violence erupted throughout the country and also to face threats from foreign intervention,” said Gautam adding that the agreement was targeted against the Maoists’ terrorism.

The demand of a constituent assembly election, Gautam said, was a regressive step to return the political power to the palace.

Prakash Chandra Lohani of Rastriya Prajatantra Party said, “Recent agreement for launching common political programme is a significant achievement in twelve years of democratic practice. “But the programmes run fruitless if the government won’t implement it sincerely.”

“The consensus should not be a tool for a particular leader of ruling Nepali Congress (NC) to gain power,” said Lohani.

Arjun Narshing KC, spokesperson of NC said the recent agreement made between all political parties adhering to democratic system has paved the way for launching socio- economic reform programmes.

Amik Sherchan of United People’s front said recent agreement was a tool to seek ways to preserve the achievements of 1990 popular movement while rising above the partisan interests.