Sixteen Parties and UCPN (M) in Opposite Corners (January 8-14)

As there was no progress on the peace and constitution-drafting process, Congress, UML and other 16 political parties not in the governing coalition and UCPN (M) appeared in opposing corners. The opposition parties concluded that ‘the Maoists had backed down from the peace and constitution-drafting process’ and ‘peace process is obstructed because the government and UCPN (M) is not sincere towards implementing past agreements’. It was their decision that they would urge UCPN (M) to fully implement the past agreements. The 16 parties expressed their suspicion because of obstruction in the combatant integration and rehabilitation, and attempts to reverse the agreements reached in the sub-committee for dispute resolution.

At a time when other parties were accusing UCPN (M) for delay in peace and constitution-drafting, UCPN (M) leaders were busy in solving the internal disputes. Meetings and discussions held between the warring factions and officials for dispute resolution concluded that the peace and constitution-drafting process was at risk. UCPN (M) leaders agreed to take up the issue of constitution-drafting as Nepali Congress was only taking up peace process issues putting the constitution-drafting issues in the shadow. UCPN (M) leaders to raise the issue of status of the disappeared, relief to the families of martyrs, formation of truth and reconciliation commission as the focus was only on army integration and return of captured properties.

UCPN (M) vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya faction CA members raised objections in the Constitutional Committee regarding agreements reached in the sub-committee for dispute resolution, saying that only the Constitutional Committee can settle disputes of the thematic committees and they would not accept the agreements in the sub-committee. The meeting of the Constitutional Committee had to be postponed following objections by the Mohan Vaidya faction leaders regarding the agreements reached in the sub-committee on parliament, lower assembly, and voting age. The Constitutional Committee chairperson Nilambar Acharya said that further discussions need to be held among the senior leaders regarding the constitution-drafting process, and Congress vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel said that by going back on previous agreements, UCPN (M) do not want to draft the constitution. Vaidya faction CA member and Constitutional Committee member Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma clarified that the agreements in the sub-committee were against the party policy and they would not accept it.

Then there could be no discussion not only on constitution-drafting, but there was no formal discussion on the peace process among the parties. The proposal of the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) to discharge those combatants choosing voluntary retirement could not be carried out. The prime minister-chaired AISC could not sit for a meeting. AISC member from Congress Minendra Rijal alleged that Prime Minister Bhattarai himself did not want to take the peace process forward. Maoist combatant spokesperson Chandra Dev Khanal stated that the peace process would not move forward until all the demands put forward by them is addressed. Chinese premier Wen Jiao Bao visited Nepal this week. On his meetings with the president Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Congress president Sushil Koirala, and UML chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal, he suggested that everybody should work together for peace and constitution-drafting process.

Major Developments

January 8	Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal withdraws its support to the government. Its chairperson Upendra Yadav alleges that this government is most corrupt in history. Meeting of UDMF concludes that the government is Madhesi friendly. UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal and vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya holds discussion on the internal party disputes. Leaders are positive on drafting people-oriented constitution. Meeting of legislature-parliament. UCPN (M) and Congress trade charges on the peace and constitution-drafting process not moving forward. Meeting of Congress, UML and 15 other political parties decides to put pressure on the UCPN (M) and the government to complete the peace process. Meeting of Congress parliamentary party concludes that UCPN (M) has worked against the understandings on the peace process.
January 9	Meeting of the Constitutional Committee. Mohan Vaidya faction CA members state that the sub-committee cannot solve the disputes. The Committee chairperson Nilambar Acharya stresses the need for more discussion among the senior leaders. The Election Commission announces registration of 10.63 million voters with voter ID cards containing photos, a decrease of 42 per cent over the 2008 Constituent Assembly election. Meeting of politburo members close to UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal and prime minister Baburam Bhattarai at Baluwatar concludes there is no alternative to the present government. Meeting of the Committee for International Relations and Human Rights under the legislative parliament concludes that the postponement of the visit of the Chinese premier was the result of diplomatic failure and directs the government to fix the visit of the premier Wen. Meeting of the legislature-parliament is postponed without entering the agenda due to lack of quorum of members. The Supreme Court issues a stay order on the government decision to remove the statue of King Tribhuwan from the Shahid Gate. Return of the president of the Rastriya Janashakti Party Surya Bahadur Thapa from India and alleges that the peace and constitution-drafting process is obstructed because UCPN (M) has backed down from its commitments.
January 10	Scheduled meeting of the officials of UCPN (M) is postponed. The reason given is to do some homework on the government reshuffle and future work plans. Meeting of the Public Account Committee discusses the irregularities reported in the contract for supply of ration to the army. The meeting is postponed due to lack of quorum of members. Meeting between UCPN (M) Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Indian ambassador to Nepal Jayanta Prasad. Talks on peace and constitution-drafting. Meeting of UCPN (M) party officials close to chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal at his residence. Initiation to bring vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya faction into the government. American voluntary organisation Peace Corps makes preparation to return to Nepal after seven years. Training of cadres in Butwal organised by UML Lumbini Coordination Committee. Chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal asks the participants to take the message of party unity and consolidation to the villages.
January 11	Meeting between UCPN (M) Pushpa Kamal Dahal and vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya faction. Discussion on forthcoming plans. Meeting of the Constitutional Committee. Senior leaders of main parties absent. Smaller parties criticise big parties for not taking the peace and constitution-drafting process forward. Senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal asserts that until UCPN (M) is without its arms, there will be no progress on the peace and constitution-drafting process.
January 12	Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Satya Pahadi holds a press conference and calls on all armed groups with political aspirations to come for talks. A meeting at UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal residence, Naya Bazaar, attended by the chairperson, vice-chairperson Baburam Bhattarai, secretary Post Bahadur Bogati, and vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya, general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa, standing committee member Deb Gurung to discuss future plans. UML chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal states the new constitution should have a provision for directly elected prime minister and ceremonial president.
January 13	Visit of Chinese premier Wen Jiao Bao. Departs for Saudi Arabia after the 4-hour visit. Asks political leaders to move forward based on consensus. The government concludes that the visit of the Chinese premier was extremely successful and historic.