Kathmandu, May 2:

Leaders of the big and small political parties today differed over participation of the Maoists in the recent mass movement.

NC leader Arjun Narasingh KC said the credit for the historic political change should go only to the seven-party alliance.

“We showed to the world that what the Maoists could not achieve in 11 years of People’s war, the seven-party alliance achieved in 19 days of peaceful protests. This proves that people still back us,” he said while speaking at the New Media Club today.

On the other hand, Amik Sherchan of the United Peoples’ Front highlighted the enthusiastic participation of the Maoists in the movement.

“The movement was, in reality, an eight-party movement. We should not ignore the participation of the Maoists in the pro-democracy stir,” he said.

He also objected to the big parties’ demand that the Maoists join the political mainstream. “I find it strange that the leaders of big parties are inviting the Maoists to join mainstream politics. But what is mainstream politics?” Sherchan queried: “Only when small factions of all parties come together will there be a mainstream.”

Sherchan also came down heavily on the leaders of the big parties for their lust of power. He said: “The leaders who were in the hiding at the height of the movement are now claiming all the big prizes. This is farcical.”

Nevertheless, both the leaders agreed that a lot needed to be done to pave the way for an election to a constituent assembly Similarly, rights activist Prof Kapil Shrestha warned the political parties not to repeat their mistakes.

“While drafting a new constitution, members of the constituent assembly should ensure concrete changes in the old State order and incorporate the demands of all ethnic communities,” he said.

Dr Yagya Adhikari, a political analyst, also criticised political leaders for tolerating and sympathising with the monarch. He said the new constitution should guarantee proportional representation of the Janajatis.