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proposed PRO-FEDERAL ALLIANCE

KATHMANDU, AUG 10 - The UCPN (Maoist)’s proposal to form an alliance of “pro-federal forces” has drawn criticism from opposition parties, including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist. Terming the proposed alliance “a desperate attempt of the present government to cling to power”, the opposition parties said such a measure would exacerbate the political stalemate.
The UCPN (Maoist) on Thursday proposed a Federal Democratic Alliance with the Madhes-based parties and some fringe parties until the next elections.
NC and UML leaders said the effort to form the alliance is aimed at derailing the course of consensual politics.
Slamming the ruling parties’ proposed alliance, the CPN-Maoist, a breakaway faction of the UCPN (Maoist), on Friday formed another grouping—Nepal Federal People’s Republic Front—with nine fringe parties. “There have been efforts to form alliances—one led by UCPN (Maoist) and another led by Nepali Congress—but both parties have failed politically and we cannot accept their proposals,” said CPN-Maoist Vice-chairman CP Gajurel at the party’s press conference. “This is the third alliance of revolutionary forces.”  Gajurel said the UCPN (Maoist) is planning to make an alliance to continue in government, and that the next government should be formed under his party.
The coalition also decided to hit the streets to unseat the government led by Baburam Bhattarai.
NC President Sushil Koirala said preparations to form an alliance by some parties are a conspiracy and that it does not hold meaning. “We have not given any importance to it because it is going to be formed to disillusion the people,” Koirala told media persons after a programme on Friday. He said that there have been efforts to project NC as anti-federalist force. He also said the UCPN (Maoist) is against federalism.
Senior UML leader KP Oli said the proposal to form the alliance is intended at capturing state power.
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, however, said in another programme that such an “alliance of pro-federal forces” will help forge consensus with the NC and the UML.
Early Friday morning, Maoist Chairman Dahal telephoned UML chief Jhala Nath Khanal to arrange for a meeting among the three major parties. Khanal, however, reportedly cold-shouldered Dahal’s request, saying the latter’s recent move undermined the politics of consensus.
Posted on: 2012-08-11 08:29

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