Ishwor Pokharel, the general secretary of the CPN (UML), the third largest party in the Constituent Assembly (CA), spoke to Rajendra Pokhrel of Nepalnews.com on various issues including recent political development of the country and formation of the consensus government. Excerpts:

With Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal resigning from the post, the internal rift in UML seems to have been resolved for now. Do you think the dispute is permanently settled?

There was no such dispute in our party. PM’s resignation was not any issue. The main issue was the implementation of five-point deal signed by the three parties before extending the term of the Constituent Assembly (CA). The deal was signed on political and moral ground. So, based on the agreement, our party chairman was requested to pave the way for national consensus.

There were reports of a section of the party trying to take disciplinary action against chairman Khanal? Will that be possible?

PM’s resignation was inevitable because peace process and constitution writing could not move ahead during his tenure. We are yet to review many issues like government reshuffle and induction of Home Minister from the Maoist party. It is not personal issue. Major question is whether or not to abide by the institutional decision.

Nepali Congress and UCPN (Maoist) have already declared names of their prime ministerial candidates. What is UML’s position?

We won’t not run after prime minister’s post whether it will be consensus government or majority government. UML led the government continuously for two times and took initiation for consensus government but we failed as other political parties didn’t play positive roles, which we did not expect. Now, it is clear that the problem facing the nation will not be solved until consensus government is formed. The UML will take initiation for the formation of national consensus government which is being emphasised by other political parties as well.

Who do you think will lead the next government?

NC and the UCPN (Maoist) have already named their candidates for PM. We have told the parties that have claimed leadership of the next government to come up with concrete work plan for peace and constitution. The base for national consensus depends upon how they present themselves in terms of theses issues. The leadership in the consensus government also depends on the same.

You mentioned about ‘concrete work plan’. What are the works that leading party should do?

We have to see how those parties present themselves in addressing the issue of managing the Maoist combatants, which is a key issue of the peace process and how they propose a work plan and schedule for the management of the combatants. We want concrete plan for peace and democratic constitution.

There is no fundamental difference between the circumstances before Khanal was elected as PM and after he stepped down. In such situation, has UML changed the conditions that your party had presented for the acceptance of Maoist leadership?

There is no such change. But, it is proven that peace process can not be concluded and constitution drafting can not be finished in the absence of consensus government. For consensus, give-and-take between the parties is important. It is not the ‘condition’ but the matter of commitment. We want fresh agreement for peace process where all the parties could come at one point. As the Maoists are the main stakeholder of the peace process, other political parties and the Maoists must come to an understating on the management of Maoist combatants. The UML wants to look forward what credible bases Nepali Congress do have to appease the Maoist.

Before Khanal-led government was formed, leaders of your party- Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Sharma Oli - had said that consensus government could be formed if the Maoists nominated vice chairman Babu Ram Bhattarai. Do you support Bhattarai if consensus is not forged while parties will have to go for majority government?

I don’t want to comment on individuals. Our party is yet to decide whom to support. It is time to treat other parties on the basis of agendas, not personal proximity. The UML will present itself positively to the party that comes up with issue-oriented approach while addressing the problem of the nation. Major tasks for now are the management of Maoist combatants, return of the seized properties, formation of truth and reconciliation commission and the commission to probe the cases of people who disappeared during the Maoist insurgency. These things will determine who we will support.

You are also the member of Army Integration Special Committee. What are the factors creating hurdles in the peace process?

I do not have a definite answer. UCPN (Maoist) is the main factor in creating hurdles in the peace process. The have delayed the detailed modality of combatant integration and management including the criteria of integration and voluntary discharge. This has affected the peace process. Randomly- brought proposals don’t work.

The parties are yet to find common ground on the issue of form of governance, electoral system and restructuring of the state. What concept has your party forwarded regarding these issues?

The UML has officially proposed its concept. We have already made it clear that it is not necessary to translate our electoral manifesto in the new constitution. We are open to discussion on the ways to bring out new constitution as a common document. nepalnews.com

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