Six-month extension after six-point deal

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The three major parties — Unified CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML — and United Democratic Madhesi Front today struck a six-point deal after they failed to implement the seven-point agreement signed on November 1, in which they had vowed to complete all the remaining tasks related to peace process by November 23.

The parties have promised to complete the remaining tasks by December 15 and form a unity government ‘very soon’ but have failed to mention the date.

Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala, UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and UDMF’s Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar signed the agreement following a meeting held on the premises of the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction this morning.

The signatory parties have also agreed to hold weekly meetings to review the progress made so far on the implementation of the seven-point deal.

According to the agreement, the constitutional committee of the Constituent Assembly will make public the time-table for drafting the constitution by December 6 and the State Restructuring Commission will submit its report with suggestions within two months since its first meeting.

A national unity government will be formed ‘very soon’ and the term of the Constituent Assembly will be extended by another six months, states the agreement.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bijay Kumar Gachhadar today ruled out the possibility of a new government before the conclusion of peace and constitution-drafting processes.

“This government has successfully moved ahead with the peace process. So, there is no need or possibility to form a new government,” said Bhattarai on the CA premises after CA’s term was extended by six months. “The incumbent government should be transformed into a unity one and it will happen soon,” added the prime minister.

Gachhadar said, “I have proposed to turn incumbent administration into a unity government at today’s four-party meeting. We don’t have time to get stuck with the issue of changing the government; we have only six months to promulgate the constitution.”

Nonetheless, the main opposition Nepali Congress has been staking claim to government leadership, saying it should lead a unity government after major tasks related to peace process are completed, for which the parties have set a deadline of December 15.