Speaking to the nation on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba told the Maoists to come to the negotiating table, pledging flexibility.
“I call on the Maoists to come to the negotiating table to seek a solution from the experiences of peace talks held in the past. The government is ready to maintain the flexibility required,” said the prime minister. Highlighting the deteriorating condition of the country because of the bandhs, the prime minister stressed the need to declare schools as zones of peace.
In what can be called an attempt to pacify the demands from various political quarters for a new constitution, the prime minister said his party, the Nepali Congress (Democratic), was ready to discuss the issue of ‘restructuring’ the constitution.
In his address, Deuba urged the political parties, including those spearheading the anti-‘regression’ agitations, to join the government with an understanding based on “common minimum programs.”
“The constitution has been reactivated,” said Deuba and asked the agitating parties to end their protest programs saying the demand for the restoration of the constitutional process has been met with the reinstatement of the elected government.
The prime minister pledged compensation to the victims of the 12-year-old conflict and promised to improve the human rights situation. He added that new programs and policies would be introduced, especially in the governing, agriculture, tourism and water resources sectors.
Deuba also promised to keep the security agencies and the bureaucracy aloof from politics.
At the end of his address, the prime minister hoped that his government would get support from all the conflicting sides in finding and implementing solutions to the country’s problems.