KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress leader Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat has criticized own party government for acting sluggishly and claimed that the criticism reflected the concerns of party members in ensuring the success of Sushil Koirala led government.

Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters Club Nepal on Sunday, Mahat called on the government to press on implementing important development projects like the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track, Nijgad International Airport, Mahakali Integrated Irrigation Hydropower, Sunkoshi Hydropower projects, among others.

He further suggested that the government should table budget with special budget for local level elections, increase in old age allowance among others. While conceding that the government has not been able to make substantial progress in drafting the constitution, he called on the government to play an active and effective role in the constitution drafting process.

ATTARIYA (Kailali): Senior leader of the Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba, has said that he would take initiative for development works including road construction, drainage and embankment in rivers in Kailali district, among others.

At a news conference organised in Dhangadhi today, Deuba said that he would take initiative to make Kailali-based Geta Airport as international airport and forward works of Geta Medical college.

Deuba, who has been elected from Kailali Constituency No. 6 and Dadeldhura, expressed the view that he has not yet decided from which constituency to tender resignation.

Stating that there would be co-work with all political parties in constitution drafting process, he said constitution would be drafted within a year as per the people’s aspirations.

The former Prime Minister said ‘the country belongs to all, we will try to incorporate the spirit of all in the new constitution, but we cannot compromise with anybody on the basic principles of democracy.’

CHITWAN: Nepali Congress (NC) senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the election to the Constituent Assembly (CA) declared for November 19 would be held at any cost even if the CPN-Maoist does not participate in it.

Deuba also said that they would not wait for the dissenting parties if the parties including the CPN-Maoist do not participate despite our initiatives for the same.

Deuba was speaking at a news conference organised by the Chitwan chapter of the Nepal Press Union at Bharatpur this morning.

Saying they were ready to hold talks on other issues except for the change of government and postponing CA election date, Deuba stressed that all should pile pressure to the CPN-Maoist to make them participate in the election.

KATHMANDU: Just a day after Chairman of the Interim Election Government Khil Raj Regmi said that the political parties were solely responsible to create conducive environment for polls, Nepali Congress senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has countered the opinions of Regmi and said the government should create the environment for holding the Constituent Assembly (CA) election.

Speaking at a programme organised to welcome the new entrants at his residence in Budhanilkantha on Monday, former Prime Minister Deuba said that the environment should be created to hold the election by the government as there was no time to hold the election by forming another government .

Saying that the constitution should be promulgated from the CA, Deuba said that the dissenting parties should be brought onboard the election process by listening to their grievances.

Some 50 people, associated with various political parties from different districts including Baitadi, Kailali and Kanchanpur, who joined the Nepali Congress, were welcomed at the programme organised by the Baitadi-Kathmandu Liaison Committee.

Similarly, the CC meeting has given full authority to top leaders—President Sushil Koirala, Vice-President Ram Chandra Poudel and senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba—to hold discussions with other political parties to replace the current Bhattarai-led government.

After the meeting, NC spokesperson Dilendra Badu said today’s CC meeting decided to keep all options open for formation of the new government.

A section of NC leaders opposed the idea of formation of the CJ-led government arguing that it would challenge the principle of power separation.

Itahari: Nepali Congress senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has claimed that the promises made by the UCPN Maoist leaders during their ongoing seventh  general convention were just ‘piles of lies’, aimed at deceiving the general public.

Speaking here on Monday, the former Prime Minister commented that the political document of UCPN Maoist, which the party intends to endorse through the jumboree, will not yield results unless the party leaders give up their totalitarian attitude. 

Accusing the Maoist leaders of constantly deflecting from their promises, Deuba said that the party leaders lacked accountability to believe in their proposal. 

Deuba even accused the Maoist led government and the party leadership of protecting murderers, extortionists and rapists and asserted that seeking a new mandate from the public through elections can end the ongoing political stalemate in the country.

Stating that the nation was under great crisis and difficult situation, Deuba called on all opposition political parties to unite against the incumbent government for forming a new government. 

Commenting on the recent protest programs of the opposition parties, Deuba said that the opposition parties were gaining strength and expressed confidence that the agitation will gain momentum soon to topple the Bhattarai government.

Deuba’s statement comes at a time when the European nations have been pressing Nepal to form Truth and Reconcilliation Commission and other transitional justice mechamism to bring war-crimes to books.

Along with that human rights, and journalist bodies across the nation are on agitation demanding trial of Maoist cadres who murdered journalist Dekendra Thapa in 2004.

Speaking at an interaction program organised in Nepalgunj on Friday, Deuba said accused the Maoists of upsetting the peace process and said that the totalitarian mindset of the Maoists is hindering the drafting of the new constitution.

He further slammed the coalition government of unilateral decisions and claimed that the lust for power among political parties was the main reason for the present political and constitutional status quo.

Stating that his party had forwarded Koirala’s candidacy for the PM’s post as per inter-party consensus, he accused the Maoists of deviating from their promises.

A federation of these community, Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN, on Sunday rolled out plans to launch street protests against what it said conspiracy to undermine their demands recognised by the erstwhile constituent assembly.

NEFIN chairman Raj Kumar Lekhi has claimed that the three lead parties were reaching agreement to form consensus government by agreeing on multi-ethnic identity as basis for federalism, reducing proportional representation and seats of the new constituent assembly, promulgating the new constitution through legislature parliament and to nullify various reports prepared by various thematic committees of the erstwhile CA.

Though the press release did not elaborate any basis for such claims, it nevertheless announced the organisations plan to protest against the major parties- UCPN Maoist, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML—and the United Democratic Madhesi Front.

The federation has announced to organise a protest assembly at Ratnapark in Shantibatika on Monday morning. The threat comes a day short before the time line given by the President to lead parties to forming national consensus government ends.

KATHMANDU: Senior Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has opined that this party leadership should accept the proposal forwarded by the Maoist if the Maoists pledge commitment to their agreement.

Speaking to Reporters Club Nepal’s delegation, the former Prime Minister said ” If NC does not smells betrayal in the Maoist proposal then it should be accepted. Its not necessary to distrusting always.”

Deuba expressed such opinion while responding to queries related the recent proposal floated by the UCPN Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal.

In his proposal, Dahal has proposed to form consensus government in Koirala’s leadership after the Bhattarai led government announces a date for CA elections and clears hurdles in holding CA elections.

Deuba further said that parties should not distrust Prachanda’s recent commitment to form consensus government within the present deadline.

” If you want to forge consensus, then mutual trust is important,” said Deuba suggesting party leadership to trust the Maoists recent proposal.

On queries related to resolving contentions related to the core issues of the constitution, Deuba asserted that question of forging consensus on outstanding constitutional issues at a time when parties are vying for CA elections, is pointless.

” We should go for CA elections by accepting fundamental principles, federalism and republicanism. All parties have agreed to federalism and the erstwhile NC-led government had itself endorsed republicanism.”

Deuba further added that the people should be given their right to make their own constitution and maintained that all issues should not be finalised through inter-party discussions and claimed that such contentions should be tested at the ballot.

He ruled out the possibility of forging consensus on forms of governance as proposed by the Maoist. He suggested the the Maoist to be more responsible towards garnering consensus rather then coming up with renewed terms every day.

On the occasion, Reporters Club Nepal President Rishi Dhamala presented a memorandum to Deuba and urged him to step up efforts to form consensus government within the present deadline given by the President.

Nepal’s  President’s recent call to form national consensus government within seven days have pushed Nepal’s led politician into the race. This has also intensified exchanges between leaders and New Delhi.

Prachanda from the ruling Maoist, Sushil Koirala and Ram Chandra Paudel from Nepali Congress, K P Oli from CPN UML, Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ from CPN Maoist, and Bijay Kumar Gachhadar from the ruling Madheshi Morcha have escalated inter and intra party lobbying for the post.

Though UCPN Maoist has officially slammed the President’s call to form consensus government, Party chairman Prachanda seems to be interested in the run. He has lauded the President’s call and along with that his close aide in the party Krishna Mahara has publicly lauded the call.

Though the official rejection of the decision by the Maoist remains an enigma, sources in the know how have claimed that the President has advised Prachando to engage in lobbying to support his candidacy for leading the consensus government. And the source claim that it was the reason for which Prachanda appreciated the President’s call and it was the same reason for which his deputy and incumbent Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai forced the party leadership to officially protest the President’s decision.

Sources well aware of the diplomatic exchanges, claim that Prachanda has even been in discussion with the Indian establishment to support his PM candidacy.

Sensing trouble from Prachanda’s softer stance with the President, Bhattarai faction within the party have warned to launch stern agitation within and outside the party for remaining in power. Bhattarai’s close aide Devendra Paudel even termed the President’s call as an attempt to impose coup.

In Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba has already publicly announced his withdrawal from the race and it has left Koirala and Paudel in the race. Paudel is loud and clear on his candidacy for the post which he claims is legitimate as he has been the parliamentary party leader of his party in the erstwhile legislative parliament and as he had fought Bhattarai in the earlier race for the same post.

However, Koirala’s recent desire to head the government which is now intensely fueled by his aides, seems to officially endorse Koirala for the post. The upcoming NC’s central committee meeting might endorse Koirala’s candidacy for the post as Deuba has already exited the queue and Paudel does not have sufficient majority in the committee to back him. This might leave Paudel high and dry once again.

Though UML Chairman Jhalnath Khanal has publicly requested Koirala for heading the consensus government, his deputy K P Oli has been exercising muscles for the post. While receiving treatment in New Delhi recently, Oli had also lobbied for this opportunity with the Indian establishment. However as the party is yet to take official decision on the issue, Oli’s chances are yet slim if he fails to win his Chairman’s support for the bid.

And along with these big wigs, the CPN Maoist has also joined the race with the motto of new and revolutionary leadership. They have forwarded party general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa as their candidate for the race. Party secretary Dev Gurung has publicly announced the party’s bid while eulogizing Thapa’s capacity for the leadership.

In the madhesh based party camp, with Mahant Thakur denying the post, Gachhadar has brushed up his collar for the post. Though Prachanda himself had proposed Thakur to join the race, the latter had denied it. This had left the ground solely to Gachhadar. Gachhadar has already forwarded his candidacy to the President and sources claimed that he has intensified lobbying with the Indian establishment too.

Another of the candidate that has not shown willingness for the limelight is Surya Bahadur Thapa. Though India has soft side for Thapa, Thapa himself has not shown any signs of joining the race. So his candidacy still remains in the grey region. Lets see if he gives any color to it in the remaining days. After all, anything can happen in Nepal’s troubled political sphere.

Whoever might succced in this race, one thing is sure, Bhattarai’s day at Baluwatar seem to be ending. This has become more sure now as the Indian establishment has shown willingness to end status quo in Nepal by removing Bhattarai and installing a new government. However, sources claim that though Indian establishment is against Bhattarai, its intelligence (RAW) has shown unwillingness to remove Bhattarai. This condition might also change in the days ahead as RAW has also recently got a new leader and this indicates a new stance on Bhattarai government too.