KATHMANDU: Unified CPN-Maoist leaders today clarified that the party’s immediate strategy was not peoples’ revolt but to lead the peace process to a logical conclusion and draft the new constitution.

UCPN-M vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha ‘Prakash’ said, “We have decided to be prepared for peoples’ revolt only if the anti-reactionary forces dare to derail the peace process and dismiss the Constituent Assembly.” Prakash dismissed media reports which said the party’s line led by senior leader Mohan Baidhya ‘Kiran’ to go for peoples’ revolt had been defeated.

Meanwhile, an informal meeting of the party’s central office

bearers decided to continue the standing committee meeting on Wednesday morning instead of Tuesday as they needed time for more homework. UCPN-M secretary C P Gajurel ‘Gaurav’ said, “We will not opt for harsh movements but we would deploy people to create awareness about national independence and civilian supremacy.”

He, however, maintained that

the standing committee meeting would finalise the protest plan

on Wednesday.

Further, sources claimed that

today’s meeting decided to give

utmost priority to the High Level

Political Mechanism to fulfil their demands. The Maoists also discussed considering CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal as the next Prime Minister.