Political deadlock continues in Nepal; UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal blames external forces for the continued deadlock over the prime ministerial election; Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) makes no progress on the integration issue due
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • Despite the hand over of PLA to the AISC secretariat on January 22, the political deadlock continues in Nepal. On January 24, a three party- Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and UCPM (Maoist) meeting was ended inconclusively. The Maoists argued that there is no point in holding talks if others do not accept a Maoist-led consensus government. The NC and UML have reportedly argued that they would not accept a Maoist-led government unless the Maoists cooperate with the government to drive the peace process and constitution-drafting forward. The parties have failed to nominate their candidates to the prime minister election till January 31. As a result, a chance of forming a consensus government by February 3rd looks bleak.1

    Interestingly, UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said on January 30 that the country would not get a new prime minister even in the scheduled third round of voting in the parliament on February 6. He blamed external forces, indirectly hinting towards India, for the continuous deadlock over the prime ministerial election.2

    Moreover, the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) on January 24 made no progress on the integration issue due to the Maoists’ demand that political consensus on modality of integration and rehabilitation be finalized before regrouping of combatants.3

    Meanwhile, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Dr Ram Baran Yadav embarked on an official visit to India on January 27. During his 10-day visit, President Dr Yadav is scheduled to meet India’s President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, key ministers and other political leaders in India.4

    Top