The CPN Maoist cadres also burned election IEC materials on fire at Rupandehi constituency number 1.  The cadres set fire to vehicle (Ga 1 Cha 5145) in the constituency while it was used by UCPN Maoist cadres in the election campaign of Dr. Bhattarai.

The vehicle was saved by the police who had reached the scene immediately. Police detained CPN Maoist’s district committee member Deepak Thapa and Village Committee member Khima Nanda Paudel on charges of setting fire to the vehicle.

UCPN Maoist leader and former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has remained in limelight for a long time for various reasons. Regarded as the architect of the Maoist insurgency and a core planner of the party’s pre and post peace efforts, he was also the PM of the government which witnessed the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly for which his own party had fought the ten year long people’s war. Nepali Reporters’ Rishi Dhamala recently caught up with this Maoist ideologue to discuss his party and his achievements in the post peace era and their future strategy.
Here are the edited excerpts.

How confident are you in holding the next CA elections?

CA elections should be held at any cost. There is no alternative to it. And this was the reason for which I had handed the reigns of the government to the Chief Justice.

Did you resign after failing to hold CA elections?

Reluctance of some political powers to participate in the elections and even Presidents reluctance to endorse some necessary ordinance hindered the creation of conducive environment for holding CA elections. Handing over the reigns to the Chief Justice was a suitable option that would preserve democracy and hold CA elections.

Being a democrat, how could you endorse the formation of an undemocratic government?

It would be better if you would ask this question to those who created that environment by not allowing an elected Prime Minister to hold CA elections. Baburam Bhattarai did his best to preserve the CA. Before the CA dissolved on May 28, my cabinet had prepared an ordinance to extend the tenure of CA but Nepali Congress (NC) President Sushil Koirala opposed it and also called back his party’s minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula from the government. Than also I had made efforts to extend the tenure by imposing emergency, but than the President denied to cooperate. Except Deuba, no one backed my proposal and ultimately CA was dissolved.

How responsible do you think you are for the CA’s dissolution?

It was my fallacy not to realize that Nepal’s politics was crooked and on top of that to be hopeful till the last minute that major political parties will not allow the dissolution of the CA.
It was my fault to wait for the political parties to create conducive environment but the CA elections would have been conducted. I had announced elections but it required making changes to the constitution. But the President never endorsed those ordinances. So, it is important to understand that I intended to hold elections but was not allowed to do so by not endorsing necessary ordinances.

But with the dissolution of CA, didn’t your party lost its own agenda?

Mahendra had sabotaged the first foetus of CA in Nepal. After that it was me who had once again germinated the seed. And we have not last hope to draft the constitution with the dissolution of the CA. Adult couples can have another child even though they face an unfortunate abortion.

But aged couples who have lost fertility power cannot have children. There are some political parties in Nepal who have even done vasectomie (permanent family planning method done by males). They cannot give birth to CA, but Maoist can give and rear another CA.

While still at office once you had said key to the power was somewhere else?

I have never said so. I would like to request media friends for giving up the habit of not accepting the truth and distributing unverified rumors. I have never said that key to Nepal fate rested in external sources. Nepalese people have the sovereign power in themselves.

But don’t you think Nepal’s politicians have been influenced by external power sources?

You must remember that the Maoist power had changed this reality. We were forced to reliant on external sources since the Sugauli Treaty. External sources have been intervening in our internal affairs since than. Its obvious for such soured to interfere when we are not united internally.

Were these external sources behind the formation of incumbent Regmi government?

We had two options to hold CA elections. First, as elected PM I should have been given the opportunity to hold CA elections. But as opposition parties were reluctant forming an electoral government in the leadership of the Chief Justice, as was done in Greece and Bangladesh, was the best option. It was our idea and external power sources supported and backed this notion.

But your former counterpart, Mohan Baidya has claimed that it was Indian plan?
I don’t want to comment about them. I would let history judge this. They parted from us by putting forward ideological differences. They are still to be tested. But I can see that their approach is not practical and thus is doomed to be failure.
Will there be CA elections if Baidya’s party does not participate in it?

They are presently in dilemma. They might opt to participate in the elections. But even if they don’t participate CA elections will be held. Its not possible to fulfill their demands. There is no alternative to the Regmi government. Prior to this NC and UML were not cooperating but now as all major parties together, CA elections will be held. A date for it should be announced at the earliest. Its only Baidya’ party in their 33 party coalition who are in dilemma to participate in the elections. Rest of them want to go for elections.

So Nepalese can hold CA elections themselves?

Yes. There is no alternative to CA elections and multiparty democracy. Elections are necessary to institutionalize democracy in Nepal. Our neighbor are also in favor of democracy, stability, peace and development.

Did the President tried to oust you?

Everyone knows that the President had made multiple attempts to oust me. I won’t say that he intended to impose a coupe. But he made it hard for my government by not endorsing necessary ordinances. Present interim constitution has nowhere given him the right to reject any ordinances endorsed by the cabinet. As a patron of the constitution, he should not have worked against its directives.

So the President failed your government?

I don’t know how much the President used his conscience in doing those decisions. But he was used by those powers who could not see the Maoists, the forerunner of change, lead the movement.

So was your government a total failure?

No. People will remember the Bhattarai government for concluding the peace process, for expanding the Kathmandu roads, and for finalizing mega projects like the West Seti and for starting the procurement of new jets for Nepal Airlines.

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Translated and Edited by Chitra Raj Bhandari.

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s President has denied to comment on the recent accusations leveled against him by former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai stating that the “accusation do not deserve feedback.”

His response came some days after Bhattarai accused him of making four attempts to impose a coup.

Speaking to some journalists in his ancestral home in Supahi, he claimed that he has always worked as provisioned by the constitution and even added that he has been fully receiving cooperation from Nepal Army, Police and people.

Bhattarai had claimed that the President’s efforts were to impose a coupe were thwarted due to vigilance of the government and non-cooperation from the Nepal Army.

In a different note, the President said that the political parties do not have any other alternative than to hold CA elections at the earliest.

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has said the fresh CA elections would be held by mid-June after a deal among the major political parties within two days. However, such deal as claimed by Prime Minister are not likely as the opposition parties have been taking to the streets for anti-government demonstrations saying that the current Maoist-led government was practising totalitarianism in the country.

The Prime Minister also claimed to hold the fresh CA polls by his government. “Talks among the parties are underway and consensus will be forged within one/two days. We are very near to consensus. My government will hold the CA elections,” the Prime Minister said inaugurating a program organized by the anti-corruption body Commission for the Investigation of Abuse and Authority in the capital today.

The Prime Minister, who is also the chief of the constitutional council, said that he was not able to make appointments in the CIAA despite his wishes. “The government brought an ordinance but that was not endorsed and failed to make appointments in the CIAA,” he said. The CIAA is marking its 22nd establishment day by organizing various programs across the country today.

BIRENDRANAGAR: Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala has claimed that incumbent Nepal’s Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai would face the fate similar to the former Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi if Nepal’s Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai continues the present style for long.

The UCPN-Maoist should learn lessons by from the Arab springs, he said.

He said the Baburam Bhattarai-led government would be toppled through the street protests if he does not quit the post at the earliest.

“The ongoing anti-government demonstrations would topple the Bhattarai-led government,” the NC top gun said at a press meet this morning.

The opposition parties including CPN (UML), Nepali Congress and other fringe parties have taken to the streets against the government claiming that the Maoist-led government was exhibiting its totalitarian practice.

On Monday, the Maoist Chairman had also expressed his willingness to lead the new government at a program in Gorkha.
Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club in the capital, leader Poudel said Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai proposed Prachanda as the new prime minister yesterday after the discussions by the coalition parties.

Club’s Chairman Rishi Dhamala presided over the talk program.

“Prachanda can be next prime minister as the coalition parties have already decided to seek alternative to the incumbent government from within the coalition partners,” Poudel a trusted-lieutenant of Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai said. There are slim chances of holding fresh CA elections by June if the opponent political parties join the current government but otherwise it is not possible despite political parties so wish, Poudel said.

“All coalition partners are ready to handover the government leadership to the NC if it joins the Bhattarai-led government to ensure timely elections. But, the prime minister will not call it quits at any cost if NC does not join the current government,” he said.

Poudel was of the opinion that this government can be changed only from the political consensus or next government elected from the next CA as formation of the government is full constitutional and valid.

Likewise, spokesperson of Federal Democratic Republican Alliance Prem Bahadur Singh seconded Poduel’s statement and said the FDRA can accept Prachanda’s leadership. He also said that there was no option but to reinstate the CA even for only 24 hours to go for fresh elections by clearing legal hassles.

Nepali Congress (NC) spokesperson Dilendra Prasad Badu said an NC-led election government under party President Sushil Koirala should be formed to end the deadlock. He added that Prachanda’s conspiracy to spot others from leading the government forced the opposition parties to take to the streets against the coalition parties.

He said, “First we have to implement the agreements made so far. New options one after another will not end the deadlock. We all will sink if deadlock continued for long.”

He also said that elections should be held based on consensus as the current government has not prepared ground for holding the elections despite its rhetoric.

Likewise, CPN (UML) secretary Yubraj Gyawali said the opposition parties would not fall in Prachanda’s trap saying that the latter is hell-bent to become the new prime minister.

He said the opposition parties were forced to take to the streets as the UCPN (Maoist) continued the politics of prohibition.

Saying that the Maoist leaders were trying to seize the state power, leader Gyawali claimed the Maoist leaders’ dream of capturing the state power is not going to fulfil that they failed even in the decade-long insurgency.

The apex court issued summons in response to a contempt case filed against the PM, his legal advisor and police chief for obstructing the interrogation of Maoist cadres accused of murdering Dailekh based journalist Dekendra Thapa.

The summons were issued in response to the case filed by the Democratic Lawyers Association. Attorney General Mukti Pradhana had issued written orders to Dailekh attorney office and administration office for not interrogating the Dekendra Thapa murder accused five Maoist cadres after receiving such orders from Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai.

The top cop Kuber Rana had also issued strict orders to his officers in Dailekh for not interrogating the accused and pressing any charges in the court.

The court has not given the privilege of appointing their representatives to defend the charges in the court and thus made it mandatory the trio to attend the summons in person.

If the apex court is not satisfied with their arguments, then it can slap them a fine unto Rs 10,000, or one year jail or both sentences.

In the contempt of court case, the petitioners have sought maximum penalty for the accused for misusing their authorities to save criminals.

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s largest two parties- ruling UCPN (Maoist) and Nepali Congress (NC) – failed to reach consensus over the formation of consensus government on Monday also.

With the failure to narrow down their differences on the formation of consensus government, Nepal’s political parties failed to meet the fourth deadline served by the nation’s ceremonial head of the state- President Dr Ram Baran Yadav – to form a consensus government for holding CA elections.

Until late evening on Monday, political parties and even the President were expecting consensus coming by as assured by Maoist supremo Prachanda and backed by other influential leaders. But the hopes faded away after media circulated reports of the Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai’s denial to step down immediately, as desired by his superior Prachanda and demanded by opposition parties including NC.

Knowledgable sources informed that the PM Baburam Bhattarai denied to step down immediately seeking respective exit. He is reported to have demanded that his own government be transformed into a consensus one and be enabled to announce a date for holding CA elections, fulfil key vacant posts in various constitutional organs and remove all constitutional hurdles for holding CA elections.

The PM remained adamant on leaving the centre stage to other parties only after setting the course for holding CA elections and fulfilling the vacant constitutional posts.

These conditions were taken as an effort to derail consensus talks by Nepal Congress and CPN UML. Both opposition parties ruled out the possibility of participating in the Bhattarai led government at any cost.

During informal talks between the top brass of these political parties, NC President and the party’s candidate for the PM’s berth, Sushil Koirala had denied to accept any of the conditions put forward by the PM and his aides.

A Maoist leader, who was well informed about the latest negotiations between the parties, informed that Sushil denied to accept any of the Maoist conditions, even though some of those conditions were agreed by his negotiator- K P Sitaula during talks with Prachanda and CPN UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal on Monday morning.

After failing to meet the fourth deadline also, parties have decided to seek another extension from the President on Tuesday.

Stating that elections in May was not possible without putting an end to the current political deadlock, he emphasized on the need of ensuring the necessary constitutional and legal arrangement within the next few days.

He also made it clear that he was ready to make any sacrifice for a political consensus including resigning from his post.

The Prime Minister also stressed on practical enforcement of the spirit of the 12-point agreement reached between the then CPN (Maoist) and the seven party alliance for a political consensus.

Responding to telephone queries from listeners, the Prime Minister said the government was making all necessary effort to save the life of Amar Sunar, jailed in the United Arab Emirates.

According to the PM, the government was making utmost efforts to limit the loadshedding within 12 hours a day this winter.

He had talked to India about the import of 200MW electricity to address acute shortage here, PM Bhattarai said, adding that government was planning for making a path friendly to the disabled people inside Singh Durbar.

Similarly, he said due to the lack of full budget, salaries and allowances to civil servants have been delayed. If the President had issued the ordinance relating to the civil servants, all problems of the civil service could be solved, he argued.

Procedural complexities were delaying the appointment of the executive director at Nepal Tourism Board.

Likewise, he shared that government was planning to give two day holiday in government service to meet the international standard with better performance and enhanced capacity of civil servants. RSS

News Commentary: Chairman of Unified Communist Party of Nepal- Maoist, Puspa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Monday forwarded four alternative candidates from his and his coalition parties to lead the national consensus government.

The former rebel chief continued to dominate Nepal’s political milieu with these latest four options that in essence fail to come up with fresh materials at all. However, they are still the only options which a senior leader has brought after President Ram Baran Yadav called parties to form consensus government.

In the first option, Prachanda has stressed on forming the new consensus government under the present leadership- that is Baburam Bhattarai.

Secondly, Prachanda proposed to form the national consensus government in the leadership of his deputy Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

After candidate from his own party, Prachanda has proposed third and fourth alternatives from his party’s present alliance partner- the Madheshi morcha.

He has proposed Bijay Kumar Gachhadar as his party’s third alternative and Mahant Thakur as the fourth and ultimate candidate for leading the national consensus government.

Responding to media queries related to Prachanda’s commitment to provide government leadership to Nepali Congress as agreed in the five point agreement, he said that his party would mull on forming the government in NC’s leadership if the latter comes up with its concept on core issues of the constitution.

” We are not dismissive about their claims on consensus government leadership, but it is not justifiable for the Maoist if they don’t get constitution as well as government,” Prachanda said pointing to the lack of clear stance of Nepali Congress on drafting the constitution.

Responding to the recently escalated debate on the President’s call for forming national consensus government, Prachanda said that President’s statement sharply deviated from what they both had discussed to announce.

” I was expecting a political summon, but the President issued a legal one bound with legal codes,” Prachanda said responding to the nature of the president’s call adding that ” it was against the spirit of the interim constitution”.