PM should step down for national consensus: Dr Bhattarai

KATHMANDU, June 15: Amidst uncertainty over the implementation of the five-point deal reached between the parties before the extension of the Constituent Assembly term, Maoist Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal should immediately take initiatives to forge minimum understanding on peace and constitution, and step down to pave way for the formation of a national unity government.



The Maoist vice-chairman expressed such views at a function in Kathmandu on Wednesday. [break]



“It is wrong for the prime minister to argue that he would step down only after the parties reach consensus on all the issues of peace and constitution and agree on a prime ministerial candidate,” Bhattarai said.



The Maoist ideologue argued that the issues of peace, constitution and national consensus are interlinked and hence should be dealt with simultaneously. He said the formation of a national consensus government is a must for implementation of the agreements on peace and constitution.



But he added that his argument should not be misconstrued and said he would not vie for the prime ministerial post unless there is a possibility of taking the peace process and constitution drafting to a logical end.



“Those who don´t have the capacity to conclude the constitution drafting and peace process should not eye the post of prime minister. I am not one of those fools,” he said.



Bhattarai, who leads moderates within his party, stated that the political development following the CA term extension doesn´t bode well for peace and constitution.

According to him, those who wanted dissolution of the CA term last May 28 don´t want any progress in the peace and constitution front so that they could push for the dissolution of the CA on August 28.



Bhattarai expressed hope hat the dream of peace and constitution could be materialized if the parties show flexibility. Differences between the parties on the system of governance and federalism can be sorted out by adopting a middle ground. He said flexibility on the number of federal states, adoption of a French model of governance -- that is a mixture of presidential system and parliamentary system - and a mixed model electoral system could resolve the differences.



Speaking at the function, UML leader Pradip Gyawali and Gagan Thapa also stressed the need for national consensus.



Gyawali argued that the rift between the political parties have posed serious hurdles to peace and constitution. The UML leader also argued that his party is no longer interested in leading the government and said the prime minister is ready resign for the sake of national consensus.



Thapa said the NC should also begin talks on power-sharing so as to expedite the constitution drafting and peace process.

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