The main opposition parties, Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML), have upped the ante against the Maoist-led government and UCPN (Maoist), giving one week ultimatum to start works to practically expedite the peace process and withdraw the recent controversial decisions of the government including the one on legalising the insurgency era land transactions.

Issuing a press statement after a meeting of the senior leaders of the two parties held at the UML headquarters Balkhu, on Monday, the two opposition parties blamed the activities of the ruling Maoist party for the protracted political deadlock.

They also concluded that the peace process and the constitution-drafting are at stake because of  the ‘irresponsible’ behavior of the government and the UCPN (M).

The statement signed by UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and the NC vice chairman Ram Chandra Poudel also mentioned that Sunday's agreement between Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai to provide additional assistance to the voluntarily retiring combatants is not acceptable for them.

The opposition parties also objected to the ‘seizure’ of the pay cheques by the commanders of the PLA from the voluntarily retiring combatants and demanded proper security arrangements for the ongoing discharge process. nepalnews.com

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