Accusing the UCPN (Maoist) of backtracking from the party´s previous stances, the UML said the party´s lawmakers would vote for Paudel if the Maoists fail to show more flexibility on concluding the peace process. And, the Maoists did nothing in this regard as of late Saturday evening.[break]
"The CPN-UML has decided to vote for the NC candidate in the election on Sunday if the UCPN (Maoist) is not ready to enter into a written agreement, which would be acceptable to major political parties, on peace process and to ensure implementation of such an accord latest by Saturday," read the statement issued by the party secretary Yubaraj Gyawali after the standing committee meeting.
The UML said the party will be positive to the UCPN (Maoist) claim for the government leadership immediately after the peace process is taken to conclusion.
UML accused the Maoists of backtracking from its past commitments with regard to finalising the integration modality, defining the jurisdiction, rank determination, setting the numbers and the rehabilitation package to be offered to former Maoist combatants. "We have come up with a conclusion that the Maoists have further complicated the peace process. The proposal and the commitments made public by the UCPN (Maoist) clearly establishes that," the party said.
UML leaders who have soft corners for Maoists also conceded that the possibility of supporting Maoist candidate Dr Baburam Bhattarai is nil. "Now, the possibility of forging an alliance with the Maoists has ended," Gyawali told Republica.
Even Bamdev Gautam, who is close to Maoist leaders, didn´t object to the decision to support Paudel. "There was no ground to lobby for voting in favor of Bhattarai as the Maoists themselves didn´t come up with a convincing proposal," said a leader close to caretaker Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal.
Sets conditions for NC
The UML has decided to reach an agreement in writing with the NC on various issues prior to casting vote in favor of Paudel.
It has demanded that the NC should take effective initiatives to take the peace process to a logical conclusion and promulgate new constitution from the Constituent Assembly.
"The NC should take firm stance in favor of peace, democracy, democratic constitution, human rights, good governance, socio-economic transformation and continuity of constitutional system," the statement said. "It should be ready to settle all kinds of challenges that may arise due to the transitional situation."
The UML has also asked the NC to finalize the new budget, which is already presented by Prime Minister Khanal but is yet to be endorsed by the House.
"The NC will have to quit the government leadership if the party fails to play the role as said aforementioned," the UML said.
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