NC should okay identity-based federalism to lead govt: Dahal

KATHMANDU, AUG 12 -

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said on Saturday that leadership of the election government could not be given to the Nepali Congress unless it agreed on the "identity-based federalism." 

Speaking at a roundtable conference organised by the CPN-Maoist, Dahal said NC's leadership would only be acceptable if a new constitution is drafted as per the five-point deal signed among parties on May 3. He, however, said there is no relevancy of the five-point pact as all parties are ready to go for the fresh elections of the Constituent Assembly.

The May 3 agreement states that NC will lead the election government after promulgation of the new constitution. The Maoist chairman said that any party could claim leadership of the new government in the changed scenario given that it accepts "identity-based" federalism.

 Dahal's statement comes at a time when the NC is claming the leadership of the government and the CPN-UML is pressing it to select a prime ministerial candidate. 

According to sources, the Maoists want to continue the present government until the next CA elections are held. "If the parties forge consensus on contentious issues of the constitution, the UCPN (Maoist) is ready to join the government led by any party, otherwise we would not accept leadership of any party," Dahal said. 

According to Dahal's aides, the UCPN (Maoist) has been "reluctant" on NC-led government, saying NC and UML are making conspiracy to sabotage the agenda of the CA and willing to promulgate the constitution through parliament.

"NC and UML are talking about parliamentary elections to prove that the CA, the agenda pushed by us (Maoist), is a wrong way to draft the constitution," said Maoist Spokesperson Agni Sapkota. 

The Maoist chairman said that his party was ready to have an apolitical consensus government led by "independent people" to hold the elections. Defending the proposed alliance with Madhes-based parties and fringe parties, Dahal challenged the NC and UML to form their alliance.

In the programme, UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal urged the Maoist leadership to implement the agreement reached among parties. He said that they could not trust the Maoist because of its reluctance to implement past agreements. Khanal said consensus among parties was not possible unless PM Bhattarai stepped down.

NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel urged the Maoist leadership to create an environment conducive for consensus. He said the UCPN (Maoist) was trying to project NC as an anti-federal force making an alliance with certain parties.

The CPN-Maoist organised the roundtable conference with a view to 'seeking the best way' out of the current political deadlock.


Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/08/12/editors-pick/nc-should-okay-identity-based-federalism-to-lead-govt-dahal/358608/