Maoists say they are willing to take part in CA elections without joining interim government

In response to continued pressure from Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala that they separate their army and weapons before joining the interim government, the Maoists have put forth a counter proposal stating they are even willing to take part in CA elections 'peacefully' without joining the interim government.

Sources say that on Sunday's meeting with the PM, Maoist leaders Prachanda and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai said they are willing to take part in the CA elections even without joining the interim government.

PM Koirala, on the other hand, has pressed them to join the interim government by agreeing to full arms management first. PM Koirala is learnt to have told the Maoist leadership that joining the interim government without giving up arms would lead to isolation and non-recognition of Nepal government by international community.

"We have said that we are ready to take part in CA elections without joining the interim government also. Joining the government is not our primary concern. We have shown this much of flexibility," said Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara.

Meanwhile, giving his reaction to Kantipur daily about the direction of peace talks, Maoist chairman Prachanda said that since "fruitful dialogue was going on" he expects all issues to be resolved within a week.

Likewise, in another interesting development, the daily reports that on Sunday the Maoist chairman Prachanda had also made another offer - of stockpiling all his weapons but in a single lock up. Earlier, the government had been pressing for double lock up with two keys – one each given to Maoists and the United Nations monitoring team. The government had also demanded that such 'arsenal' be sealed. On the other hand, the Maoists had been saying they were willing only to lock up fifty percent of their arms and demanded that Nepali Army also do the same.

PM Koirala is said to have told Prachanda that he would discuss the new proposal with his party colleagues first.

On the issue of monarchy, there seems to be a broad understanding that the current powerless status of the King would be allowed to continue till the CA elections. The first meeting of the CA would then decide the fate of monarchy. nepalnews.com sd Oct 30 06