Maoists want immediate cabinet reshuffle; demand early integration of PLA into NA
The CPN (Maoist) has come up with a plethora of new demands, which include immediate reshuffling of the interim cabinet, dissolution of the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction, and early integration of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into the Nepal Army.
Maoist chairman Prachanda speaking at an interaction organised by his party with…
Presenting party chairman Prachanda’s concept paper at an interaction with a cross-section of the society including representatives of various political parties in the capital Friday, senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai said the government must be restructured as early as possible in order to make it more representational. He demanded that the peace ministry be replaced by a powerful Peace Commission represented by all the parties to peace process.
Bhattarai said his party wants early integration of the PLA into the Nepal Army. He also demanded that the government start procedure to implement the proposals on establishing republican order and adopting proportional voting system that were passed by the special parliament session.
Speaking at the interaction, UML leader Raghuji Panta proposed that a seven-party alliance should emerge as an executive entity. He made it clear that the UML is ready for a change in government leadership if there is seven-party consensus.
Participating in the interaction, Nepali Congress general secretary Dr Ram Baran Yadav maintained that the Maoists have not fully embraced coalition culture and urged them to stop their pressure tactics. He added that cabinet reshuffle could be done after seven-party consensus.
Former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana warned of constitutional crisis if the parties fail to determine a date for constituent assembly election by Nov 22.
Representatives of various parties, Janajati organisations, human rights workers and civil society figures participated in the interaction held at a hotel in Lainchour.
CPN-M sources said these interactions are aimed at garnering support for issues raised by the party, particularly for implementation of the decisions of the parliament. nepalnews.com mk Nov 16 07