Intraparty debate in UCPN (Maoist) on the alternative of CA

Kathmandu: Intra party discussions in the UCPN (Maoist) are also underway on the alternative of promulgating new constitution from outside the Constituent Assembly.
According to the UCPN (Maoist) source, the debate has emerged in the party to seek the alternative of the CA at the backdrop of party’s ‘humiliating’ defeats in the CA polls. The proponents of this debate are arguing that the agenda of the UCPN (Maoist) would be weakened in the CA, dominated by the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) with two-third majority.  They are pitching for the new constitution through the round-table-conference based on national consensus instead from the CA, source added. It is learnt that the UCPN (Maoist) is likely to put forth this alternative after assessing the government formation process by the NC and CPN (UML). UCPN (Maoist) leader Devendra Paudel ‘Sunil’ said that his party as not made any conclusion for seeking the alternative of the CA. He, however, admitted that some of the leaders aired their views in that regard during the party’s meeting. UCPN (Maoist) is preparing to discuss various alternatives of constitution drafting during its central committee meeting slated for December 24. Likewise, UCPN (Maoist) has announced that it would not join the upcoming CA if its demands of an independent probe into the election were not met. UCPN (Maoist) has been claiming that there vote rigging in the CA polls in an institutional and pre-mediated way.  “If our demands are met, we could join the CA. Otherwise, there are also voices in the party that we should join the CA but not the legislative assembly.” said Paudel. However, there are many who expressed their reservations in the UCPN (Maoist) of seeking the alternative of CA arguing that such move could show the party toeing the line of Mohan Baidya-led CPN (Maoist).