PM woos NC, UML, Baidya faction for peace, statute

KHOPLANG, GORKHA, Oct 8: Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Saturday said that the political future of the Nepali Congress (NC), the CPN-UML and a group (Baidya faction) within his own party will be at risk if they do not support the peace process.

Bhattarai warned that those groups and factions that oppose peace and constitution will loose their very existence. [break]

He said that the government will conclude the peace process and promulgate the first draft of the new constitution by November 13.

“I believe that the NC and CPN-UML are not in opposition to the peace process,” Bhattarai told journalists in his home district of Gorkha, adding, “I hope both the parties [NC and CPN-UML] and a group within my own party will support my goal of bringing the peace process to its logical conclusion within the next two months.”

Bhattarai stressed the need of the involvement of the major political parties for completing the peace process and constitution drafting.

Responding to journalists´ questions regarding the intra-party rift among the Maoists, Bhattarai, who is also vice-chairman of the UCPN (Maoist), said a small group within the party is protesting against the government.

“A small group has been working to safeguard their existence as such and they have been exposed over the issue of peace and constitution,” Bhattarai stated.

Bhattarai said that rival voices are nothing new within the Maoist party, adding they have been protesting ever since the 12-point agreement was reached between the political parties.

Bhattarai said that he was not interested in public statements made by various political leaders.

He said the government will take initiatives for the completion of the peace process and promulgation of a first draft of new constitution immediately after Dashain, with the support of all political parties.

Bhattarai also said the political parties must fulfill their obligations to the people by concluding the peace process and promulgating a new constitution,

Bhattarai claimed that his government has raised hope among the people in five weeks. “My government has raised hope among people within just five weeks. The government will create history in Nepali politics,” he added.