“Sunday being a government holiday, the president will call the parties on Monday to form a consensus government within a certain period of time,” said the president´s press advisor, Rajendra Dahal. [break]
As per the constitutional provision, if the political parties fail to form a government on the “basis of political understanding” within the stipulated time, they may request the president to extend the deadline for the formation of such a government. If the parties fail, the president will then invoke article 38 (2) of the Interim Constitution asking the parties to form a majority-based government through a vote in parliament.
Leaders, however, say the prime minister´s resignation might well lead to formation of a national consensus government if parties stick to the five-point deal signed ahead of the second term extension of the Constituent Assembly (CA).
With the CA´s second extended term expiring in two weeks and the fate of the constitution drafting and peace process still uncertain, the national mood, however, is in favor of a consensus-based government.
In the meeting of the major parties on Sunday, prior to Khanal´s resignation, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had stated that his party is ready to strike a concrete deal on peace and constitution and lead a consensus government. “Now our party should lead the government and we are ready to be flexible on all the issues,” a participant quoted Dahal as saying. Dahal put forward the name of Bhattarai as the party´s prime ministerial candidate for the consensus government.
Responding to Republica, leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML also stated that Khanal stepped down abiding by the five-point deal and that an agreement on the contents of the peace process would pave the way for the formation of a national consensus government.
NC leader Ram Chandra Paudel said his party would hold result-oriented talks with the Maoists to decide the leadership of the future government. “NC would be happy to accept Maoist leadership if the Maoists come up with a concrete plan of action to conclude the peace process. If the Maoists fail, NC should be allowed to lead the government,” he said.
JP Gupta, a leader of the United Democratic Madhesi Front, said that the politics is likely to move toward consensus as the parties have expressed commitment to forming a national consensus government.
"NC and the Maoists have batted for consensus government. United Democratic Madhesi Front also wants to see a government based on consensus. This is an opportunity for the Maoists to form a consensus government," said Gupta.
Similarly, UML leader Surendra Pandey stated that there is no alternative to national consensus government because parties are bound to abide by the five-point deal which has categorically directed the parties to form a consensus government.
The parliament is also strictly monitoring the implementation of the deal.
“At least, the three major parties cannot violate the deal as the top leaders are signatories to it,” he said, adding that even Madhes-based parties cannot go against the deal as their concerns have also been addressed in the five-point deal.
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