Maoists say they are all set to join the government "on condition that the secret seven-point deal is implemented" without taking charge of the home ministry. [break]
"The party standing committee meeting slated for Wednesday morning will take a formal decision in this regard," said a senior Maoist leader on condition of anonymity.
Sources said the home ministry, which has become the bone of contention between the Maoists and the UML, would remain with the prime minister. "We will come out with the final decision on Wednesday on whether or not to join the government. We will not further linger over the issue," said Maoist Vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha.
In the standing committee meeting on Tuesday morning, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal formally proposed sending five or six leaders to the cabinet on Tuesday itself, but Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya and Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai opposed the proposal.
According to sources, the vice-chairmen duo argued that the party should not hasten to join the government without further clarifying the power-sharing and other issues with the UML.
"As we have already waited for a month, why can´t we wait for a few more days to make things clear beforehand?" a standing committee member quoted Bhattarai as saying during the meeting.
Bhattarai has argued that joining the government "without proper homework" would neither help the party´s line of "people´s revolt" nor the completion of peace process and constitution-drafting.
"We can also hold a meeting with other parties and change the current coalition into a national consensus government for the sake of peace and constitution," a Maoist source quoted Bhattarai as saying.
Similarly, Baidya argued that the party should not make more compromises on power-sharing and go on losing the party´s stakes in bits and pieces. "We should seek more clarity on the deal with the prime minister," a Maoist leader quoted Baidya as saying.
After Baidya argued along the same line, the meeting was wrapped up for "more talks" with the prime minister.
"Both vice-chairmen may argue in Wednesday´s meeting also against joining the government under the current status of power-sharing, but the chairman remains adamant in his stance," said a senior Maoist leader.
Meanwhile, the leaders close to the prime minister have become upbeat after the Maoist meeting on Tuesday.
"We are hopeful that the Maoists are sending the name of five or six candidates at the first stage of government formation," said UML leader Yogesh Bhattarai adding that talks are underway to also bring Madhes-based parties into the coalition.
Who will lead the Maoist party in the government?
Besides taking a decision to join the government, the Maoist standing committee meeting on Wednesday is also expected to finalize the name-list of the party´s candidates to join the government and also the party´s leader in the government.
Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is the choice of the party chairman, is the front runner. Bhattarai camp has objected to Mahara leading the party, while Baidya camp has floated the name of either Dev Gurung or CP Gajurel. Party General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa is also said to be interested for the post.
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