Rushed Meetings: Impasse Continues (October 16-22 )

Prime minister met with main political parties one day before his India visit in the name of seeking consensus on the peace process. The talks held at the prime minister’s residence at Baluwatar among Nepali Congress, UML, and UCPN (M) could not last. Instead, UCPN (M) leaders held a separate meeting citing insufficient discussions within the party. After vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya’s insistence for further discussion within the party, the atmosphere for consensus could not be created from within UCPN (M).

In the three-party meeting, Vaidya faction insisted that the directorate to be established under the Nepali Army should be led by the Maoist army. After UCPN (M) leaders’ insistence on the need for further discussion within the party, the issue of number, rank, rehabilitation package and others could not be discussed. However, a team comprising Barsha Man Pun from UCPN (M), Krishna Prasad Sitaula of Nepali Congress, and Bhim Rawal of UML was formed to draft a report on the peace process.

The talks regarding the peace process were also held on the day of the prime minister’s visit to India. It was agreed not rush to any conclusions and to wait for the prime minister’s return. A meeting held on the same day of the Army Integration Special Committee decided to send teams to update the number of Maoist combatants.

Meanwhile, opposition parties obstructed the parliamentary proceedings demanding the resignation of murder-accused Land Reforms minister Prabhu Sah and Defence Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari accused of speaking against national integrity. The UCPN (M) decided to recall minister Sah so that the issue of his resignation does not affect the peace and constitution-drafting process. Also, it asked the respective party MJF-D to take a decision on Defence minister Bhandari. MJF-D also decided to recall minister Bhandari despite differences within the party. Prime Minister Bhattarai informed the parliament of their removal and the proceedings resumed, and the prime minister left for his India visit.

During his India visit, Prime Minister Bhattarai expressed his commitment to peace and constitution-drafting process. In the meantime, president Dr Ram Baran Yadav and CA chairperson Subash Nemwang met to discuss about the peace and constitution-drafting process. The chairpersons of the thematic committees of the Constituent Assembly expressed dismay at leaders of major parties not being serious at drafting the constitution. They warned that if the leaders of the major parties did not involve themselves in constitution-drafting, they would come out of pressure tactics.

Major Developments

October 16	The meeting of the establishment faction leaders at the residence of Sushil Koirala suggests the leadership to be flexible when discussing the dissolution of the working committees of the party sister organisations with Deuba. Murder-accused Land Reforms and Management minister Prabhu Sah resigns. Prime minister Bhattarai accused of making a mockery of national integrity and rule of law by not dismissing the controversial ministers. Opposition parties obstruct the proceedings of the parliament.
October 17	An eight-hour discussion in the MJF-D whether Defence minister Sharat Singh Bhandari should resign or not ends without any conclusion. Opposition parties accuse the prime minister of protecting those promoting disintegration, demands action against former minister for Land Reforms and Management who recently resigned. Parliamentary proceedings obstructed. Prime minister calls all-party meeting to discuss his impending India visit; suggestions to raise outstanding issues and not to sign any treaties.
October 18	Leaders of UDMF and UCPN (M) chairperson meet; UDMF leaders seek clarification on the four-point agreement. Political committee of MJF-D meets for three hours; no decision on the resignation of the Defence minister. Meeting of the UCPN (M) standing committee suggests prime minister Baburam Bhattarai not to sign any treaty/agreements of long-term and controversial nature. UCPN (M) clarifies and expresses commitment to the four-point agreement. Opposition parties suggest the prime minister to dismiss controversial ministers before embarking on India visit; obstruction of the parliament continues. Prime minister consults smaller parties on his forthcoming India visit; they suggest him not to sign any controversial agreements.
October 19	Prime minister Baburam Bhattarai accepts the resignation of Land Reforms minister Prabhu Sah and dismisses Defence minister Sharat Singh Bhandari, and informs the parliament regarding the same and also about his impending India visit and commits not to sign any controversial agreements without national consensus. Prime minister Baburam Bhattarai meets President Ram Baran Yadav and informs of possible political decision regarding the peace and constitution-drafting process before his India visit. CA chairperson Subash Nemwang meets President Ram Baran Yadav; discussion on peace and constitution-drafting process. Consultation among major parties in the prime ministerial residence at Baluwatar regarding the peace process. A team of Barsha Man Pun of UCPN (M), Bhim Rawal of UML, and Krishna Prasad Sitaula of Congress is formed to make a draft report on the peace process. Council of Ministers approves the team and programmes of the prime minister’s India visit. Sacked Defence minister Sharat Singh Bhandari accuses that there was conspiracy against as he had raised legitimate issues of the Tarai and announces programmes of Madhes Jagaran (awareness) against such conspiracies.
October 20	Meeting of the Army Integration Special Committee decides to send survey teams to update the data on the Maoist combatants in the cantonments. Prime minister Baburam Bhattarai leaves for New Delhi on a formal four-day visit. In an address to programme, the prime minister clarifies that UCPN (M) are for participative democracy.
October 21	Senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal stresses on the need to form a national consensus government to complete the peace and constitution-drafting process.
October 22	Chairpersons of the thematic committees of the Constituent Assembly criticise the leaders of main parties, accusing them of not being serious on the constitution-drafting process. They warn of pressure tactics if the leaders of major parties and the CA chairperson do not work to bring a unified draft of the constitution.