After persistent pressure from the main opposition parties Nepali Congress and UML, the government backed down on its decision to legalise conflict-era land transactions carried out by the Maoist people’s government. The meeting of the Council of Ministers on February 9 reversed the decision of January 12, 2011 by ‘the decision will not stand and not be implemented’.

Congress and UML had accused government of imperilling the peace process by legalising the conflict-era land transactions carried out by the people’s government and had issued an ultimatum of seven days to the government and UCPN (M) to complete the works towards the peace process. They had warned of serious action if the decision was not reversed and no progress was made in the peace process. In the meeting that followed in the Gokarna Resort of UCPN (M), Congress, and UML, prime minister expressed his commitment to reverse the previous decision. In the meeting, UCPN (M) vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya faction had argued that since the decision was stayed the decision, the government should not withdraw the decision and the opposition parties also should not stalled the parliament.

In the UCPN (M) standing committee meeting that followed, the Vaidya faction accused the government of yielding before the landlords by reversing its decision which was its only one positive act. The Vaidya faction demanded the resignation of the prime minister Baburam Bhattarai for not being able to implement the decision.

Despite the opposition in the party, prime minister Baburam Bhattarai speaking in the parliament informed that the decision of the Council of Ministers has been withdrawn. The prime minister also committed to take necessary steps within a week to solve the problems faced by the farmers during the conflict. Congress chief whip Laxman Prasad ghimire stated that Congress and UML took the decision of the government positively and this ended the three-week-long obstruction of the parliament.

Though the prime minister’s address to the parliament brought about improvement in the relations with Congress and UML, but within his party, it increased hostility. Vice-chairperson Vaidya faction demanded the resignation of the prime minister. In the standing committee meeting, chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal and vice-chairperson Bhattarai argued that the resigning before an alternative is ready would invite instability and disrupt the peace and constitution-drafting process. However, Vaidya faction insisted that the present government cannot take the shape of a national government and the prime minister should pave the way by resigning.

Despite discussion for a national consensus government among UCPN (M), Congress, and UML, there was no significant progress. Meanwhile, Congress objected to reports of snatching the cheques and identity cards of the Maoists combatants choosing voluntary retirement by the commanders at an attempt by the UCPN (M) to get its hand on the money. The meeting of the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) after these reports emerged established a hotline to listen to the former combatants’ complaints. Despite some disputes, the distribution of cheques to those choosing voluntary retirement was completed.

The major parties were unsuccessful in resolving the disputes seen in the form of government, state restructuring and other issues. They did not want to forward the unresolved issues to the Constituent Assembly and instead agreed to seek consensus on these issues by asking for amendment of the CA calendar of events.

Major Developments