Nepal Maoists demand their govt to end House deadlock

In a new twist to the prolonged House deadlock in the country, the agitating Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on Sunday said that there will be no consensus until the incumbent government steps down from the power.

A top hardliner Maoist leader Mohan Baidya said his party would not stop protest programs simply by the president's apology for his 'unconstitutional' act of reinstating the army chief and allowing a debate on his move in the Parliament. "Only after the prime minister gives his resignation will the door for consensus open up," he said.

The remarks come at a time when three major political parties –Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Maoists are holding talks to resolve the Maoist demands to resume House business since last month.

The Maoists have threatened to begin a fresh stir from November 1 if the government failed to find a consensus to discuss in Parliament President Ram Baran Yadav's controversial decision on May 3 to reinstate army chief Rookmangud Katawal, who has now retired.

The Maoists have been obstructing House business and also greeting prime minister and other ministers with black flags ever since they stepped down from the government on May 4 demanding the government to ensure ‘civilian supremacy’. “The prime minister's resignation will only be a harbinger of political consensus and ensure civilian supremacy," he added.

Baidya said that the 22-party coalition should quit power, paving the way for formation of a Maoist-led national consensus government to address their demands. He argued that it is natural for them to claim the leadership of the government after being the largest party with 338 seats in the 601-member Nepal Constituent Assembly.

- Asian Tribune -