CHITWAN: CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidhya today termed the 16-point agreement reached among four political parties ‘a grave anti-national move’.

On June 8, the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML, the Unified CPN-Maoist and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic had reached the 16-point agreement in a bid to pave the way for the drafting of the constitution.

Speaking at a press meet organised by the Chitwan chapter of the Federation of Revolutionary Journalists, Baidhya said that four parties’ defiance of the Supreme Court order to halt the constitution-drafting process had made a mockery of democracy and rule of law. The Supreme Court on Friday had issued an interim order against the 16-point agreement.

“It is ridiculous to protest the apex court order,” Baidhya said, adding, the parties must abide by the court ruling.

Criticising the 16-point agreement Baidhya said the four parties had violated the Interim Constitution by signing the agreement.

On his party’s unity with the UCPN-Maoist, Baidhya said the 16-point agreement had put a question mark over the entire unification process. “The UCPN-Maoist has pushed the communist movement back by signing an anti-national agreement.

Given the situation, unification between the two parties at this moment is impossible,” added Baidhya. On whether the signatories of the 16-point deal could bail the country out of political crisis, Baidhya claimed that the four parties would not be able to deliver a new constitution. “Only an-all party political assembly can draft a constitution which can ensure stability in the country,” Baidhya said.

Baidhya also came down heavily on the government, saying it miserably failed in response to the disaster and relief works. He called on the government to form an-all party mechanism to speed up the reconstruction works.