Political Party parcelling in State Restructuring Commission (November 20-26)

Sunday, November 27, 2011
Written By: Bhuwan KC/ Tilak Pathak

Reclassification of Maoist combatants in the seven cantonments continued as part of the peace process, and the government formed the state restructuring commission as envisioned in the Interim Constitution 2007.

Though there were suggestions to include experts in the commission, UCPN (M), Nepali Congress, UML, and UDMF nominated two members each. The parties could not agree on the chairperson of the mission despite their attempts. The names of political science professor Krishna Khanal, geographer Dr. Pitamber Sharma, former Tribhuvan University vice-chancellor Kedar Bhakta Mathema, University Grants Commission chairperson Ganesh Man Gurung, human rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar were considered for the chairperson of the commission.

UDMF’s proposal to nominate professor Khanal to the chairperson was supported by Congress and UML; however, UCPN (M) did not agree to it. UCPN (M) proposed that the commission should be headed by a Janajati, but other parties did not agree to it. Then the parties parcelled the nominations: UCPN (M) nominated Stella Tamang and Mall K Sundar; Congress Ramesh Dhungel and Sabitra Gurung; UML Bhogendra Jha and Sarbaraj Khadka; and UDMF Krishna Hachhethu and Surendra Mahato. Since the parties could not agree on the chairperson, it was agreed that it would be chaired in rotation. After smaller parties complained that no Dalits were represented in the commission, UDMF and other three parties agreed to include one Dalit member in the commission.

The parties agreed to extend the term of the CA. The government registered a bill at the parliament to extend the term of the CA by six months through 11th amendment of the Interim Constitution. Majority of CA members suggested assurance of promulgation of constitution while extending the CA term. In the meantime, the Supreme Court ruled that the term can be extended for six months and if the constitution is not promulgated by that time, CA will be automatically dissolved. After this ruling by the Supreme Court, the parties postponed parliamentary meeting to further study the ruling before discussing the CA term extension.

Major Developments

November 20 Meeting between the President Ram Baran Yadav and CA chairperson Subash Nemwang. The president suggests including experts in the state restructuring commission.
Meeting of the standing committee of UML decides to come out official party line on state restructuring and form of government after discussion in the central committee.
Meeting of UCPN (M), Congress, and UML discusses the authority of the state restructuring commission and agrees to submit two names of experts each to be included in the commission.
Central committee meeting of UCPN (M) postponed to December 2.
As part of returning the seized properties, UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Congress general secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula, and UML vice-chairperson Bamdev Gautam in Bardiya. UCPN (M) chairperson states that a working group of three parties will be formed to return the properties.
In two days, 1866 Maoist combatants from seven divisions are reclassified. The work in Talband cantonment in Kailali begins.
November 21 Parties unable to form the state restructuring commission as per previous understandings. They propose Ganesh Man Gurung, Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Pitamber Sharma, Padma Ratna Tuladhar for the chairperson of the commission.
Senior Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba holds a meeting of Congress central committee members in his residence. The meeting decides to hold a decisive discussion with Sushil Koirala tomorrow.
3406 Maoist combatants in the seven divisions in the country are reclassified.
November 22 16 sister organisations and fronts close to UCPN (M) vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya warn of agitation against the government and the party decision to return seized properties.
Parties unable to agree on the chairperson of the state restructuring commission, instead agreement is reached to chair the commission on rotation basis. UCPN (M) nominated Stella Tamang and Mall K Sundar, Congress Ramesh Dhungel and Sabitra Gurung, UML Bhogendra Jha and Sarbaraj Khadka, and UDMF Krishna Hachhethu and Surendra Mahato as members to the commission. The commission has been asked to work within the report of the Committee for State Restructuring and Distribution of State Power, take into account the suggestions and objections raised by the CA members in the legislature-parliament, and meet the demands of various communities.
Meeting of the central committee concludes that the relevance of the government is over.
5217 Maoist combatants reclassified.
Meeting of the Council of Ministers forms the State Restructuring Commission and approves its terms of reference.
November 23 UML central committee meeting concludes that the prime minister Baburam Bhattarai should resign to pave the way for implementation of the seven-point agreement.
The supreme court issues an stay order against the government decision to pardon the murder-convicted UCPN (M) CA member Balkrishna Dhungel.
Meeting of the Congress central committee. Sher Bahadur Deuba faction boycotts the meeting. Congress president Koirala expresses his commitment to solve the problem through mutual discussion and consultation.
7195 Maoist combatants are reclassified.
November 24 Meeting of the UCPN (M), Congress, and UML decides to nominate a Dalit representative to the State Restructuring Commission. Congress criticises UCPN (M) leaders for not returning the seized properties as per the agreement.
The government registers a bill for 11th amendment of the Interim Constitution to extend the CA term by six months. CA members seek assurance of constitution promulgation while extending the term.
Prime minister Baburam Bhattarai claims significant progress in the peace and constitution-drafting process.
Nepal Police expresses commitment to apprehend Balkrishna Dhungel who has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment and property seizure by the supreme court in a press conference.
9210 Maoist combatants are reclassified.
November 25 The meeting of three parties and UDMF to discuss the extension of the CA term is postponed to Sunday after the ruling of the supreme court.
Sher Bahadur Deuba faction boycotts the Congress central committee meeting, which goes for CA term extension.
The supreme court rules that the CA will be automatically dissolve if the constitution is not promulgated within six months.
Meeting of the central committee of UML concludes that the CA term should be extended only after assuring its completion.
11,009 Maoist combatants reclassified.
November 26 Meeting of the Congress parliamentary party authorises parliamentary leader Ram Chandra Paudel to decide on the CA term extension in consultation with other parties.
Central committee meeting of UML decides to postpone the National Representative Council to March 4, 2012.
The Maoist combatants at the 5th division cantonment at Dahaban, Rolpa, submit memorandums to divisional headquarters, Nepal government, secretariat of the Peace Committee and the office of the deputy against the decision of the the parties to integrate only 6500 combatants. Their demands included package based on their service, lifelong pension to injured and disabled combatants, letter of appreciation to those opting for voluntary retirement.