Maoist-UML alliance likely

They have reached an 'understanding' to seek an alternative in case efforts at reaching a political consensus for a national government fail.At a meeting held at the UML parliamentary party office Tuesday afternoon, both the parties decided, however, to continue their effort for a consensus national government until Friday, ... ...the prime minister will be elected by the Constituent Assembly (CA) members through a vote if consensus eventually fails."Efforts to seek political consensus will continue till the last minute," said Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara.Both the parties have also decided to persuade the NC to show flexibility over its claim to the defense ministry."We will try to persuade the Nepali Congress to give up its stance on the defense ministry and join the next government under our leadership," said Mahara.The meeting took place following a standing committee meeting of the UML, which decided to seek an alternative if efforts at forming a consensual government fail.During the meeting UML General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal briefed Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal that the UML is ready to seek an alternative way for forming the next government if the effort to solicit political consensus fails.Conspicuously hinting at a possible Maoist-UML alliance, UML senior leader Ishwar Pokharel said, "The passage to the formation of the next government should not be obstructed even if the Nepali Congress continues with its claim to the defense ministry.He further claimed the UML won't join the next government without the Maoists. "Even if the Nepali Congress continues with its stance and decides to stay in opposition, the UML won't join the next government without the Maoists," Pokharel said.He said the task of drafting a new constitution won't be successful if the Maoists are excluded from the next government.Echoing Pokharel, Maoist leader Mahara said, "Although the UML hasn't clearly told us that it will back us in forming the next government, an alliance with the UML and other parties will take place if the NC finally decides to stay in opposition.He said the Maoist are still open to sharing any one of the major ministerial portfolios-Home, Defense or Finance- with any of the major political parties- NC, UML, Madhesi Peoples' Rights Forum (MPRF). However, the Maoists have already conceded the Home Ministry to the CPN-UML and NC leaders have termed the offer a ploy aimed at pushing the NC, UML and MPRF into competition for a ministry."Other parties will have to reach consensus on sharing one of the ministerial portfolios. But we will never sacrifice two major portfolios," said Mahara, justifying the NC leaders' suspicions.The Maoists, in a separate meeting with the MPRF leadership this afternoon, urged the latter to be ready to join the next government without the NC.During the meeting, MPRF leaders said they will discuss the issue among party members and come up with a decision on Wednesday."We will hold separate meetings with the Nepali Congress, UML and MPRF tomorrow to solicit support for forming the next government," Mahara said.Although the NC at a separate meeting with Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal today urged the latter to consider the NC claim to the Defense Ministry, Dahal is reported to have rejected the proposal. "We rather urged the NC to review their own stance," said Mahara.Maoist Chairman Dahal and Dr Baburam Bhattarai had visited NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula at the latter's residence."I argued that Maoists should have offered the Defense Ministry to NC if they sincerely wanted to take the peace process to a logical end," said Sitaula. "I told them (Maoist leaders) that it was the responsibility of Maoist leaders to kill such suspicions created by the coincidence of their senior leaders remarks and rigidity over the defense portfolio." Sitaula said he has cautioned Maoist leaders over possible failure of them in drafting the constitution on time.The NC has already made it clear it will join the next government only if it receives the Defense Ministry.

Add to: del.icio.us | Digg