War in NC over Emergency

MEENA KAINI

KATHMANDU: The ruling Nepali Congress today served a notice on prime minister Deuba asking him to tender an explanation within 24 hours on why he is going all-out for an extension of the emergency without the party’s prior approval. “The government has decided to propose an extension of the state of emergency when the country is going through such critical times. Is it not against the spirit of democracy and parliamentary norms and values?” said the letter signed by the NC general secretary Sushil Koirala. “You are asked to furnish an explanation within 24 hours.”Deuba is to question the validity of the letter, one of his aides told The Himalayan Times. An explanation can be sought only after a decision to this effect is taken by the central committee of the party. The general secretary has no prerogative to seek an explanation on his own. The clarification is only on the procedural matter but is silent on the substantive issue of the extension of Emergency. The extension for three months was endorsed by an overwhelming majority on February 21and if not endorsed by Friday it will lapse automatically by Saturday. Deuba had met NC president Girija Prasad Koirala on Monday when Koirala instructed Deuba to withdraw such a “dangerous proposal”.Though the main opposition CPN-UML has not officially declared its stance on the extension of the Emergency, the party general secretary has repeatedly said that there is “no possibility” of the extension and that the government should keep options for a dialogue with the Maoists open.

Political parties should encourage talks: UML

KATHMANDU: There could be three reasons behind the Maoist call for dialogue in resolving the current crisis.One, it could be “strategic move” to gather themselves. Two, it could be a genuine change of heart in the wake of the changing ground reality.“There are divergent views among the Maoists. Some say the armed movement should continue while others put faith in dialogue,” said Madhav KumarNepal, general secretary of the main opposition, the CPN-UML, here on Tuesday.

“At this juncture, our role is to encourage talks. However, the Maoists must lay down arms. They must also prove their commitment in action, and put an end to the violence and killings if talks are to be held. ”Neither “regression” nor “statusquo” is the solution. There is no alternative to peace talks and the violence should end, Nepal said.Outlining the dangers involved in continuing military operations for long, he said: “According to what I hear, at this pace and with the same military hardware, it will be three years before the Maoists are completely overcome in the mid-western region.”