Kathmandu, December 3, 2007

The Nepali Congress (NC) today clarified its stance of a “bloodless transition” to republicanism. The party said the Left parties — especially the CPN-Maoist and the CPN-UML — are making “strategic use” of NC for their political gains.

NC central leaders expressed determination that the party would not yield to Left pressure to announce a republic from the parliament and go for a fully proportional electoral system. After an informal meeting of a few central leaders with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at his official residence this morning, they said the NC is clear on two things — bloodless transition to republic and national integrity.

The NC which is currently under pressure from the Maoist and the UML for changing the government leadership and implementing the parliament’s directives to declare the country a republic and adopt a fully proportional electoral system, is discussing a strategy to “retaliate” the Left strategy.

NC leader Laxman Ghimire challenged the Maoist and the UML to “go ahead to change the government leadership if they can.” He added, “Koirala is the Prime Minister not on their mercy.” The leaders maintained that since the interim constitution does not allow the parliament to announce a republic, the party would formally urge the Maoist and the UML to “give up” their demands of announcing a republic from the parliament and face the constituent assembly elections.

With just 12 days left left to amend the interim constitution to reschedule the date for the CA polls the NC leaders also expressed worry for the lack of trust among the major parties on forging a consensus on the issues of a republic and electoral system.

We’re dead serious about CA polls, Maoists tell China

Kathmandu, December 3, 2007

Maoist supremo Prachanda today reassured the visiting Chinese leader Wang Jianrui that his party was doing its best to make sure that constituent assembly elections take place, putting an end to political instability and turbulence.

Prachanda said this while talking to Jianrui, minister in the Foreign Department of the Communist Party of China, who is on a five day visit to Nepal. Jianrui is heading a ninemember delegation to assess the situation and familiarise himself with the current political scenario while elections remain stalled, ruling out an early end to the transitional phase.

Prachanda’s assurance came when Jianrui alleged that the Maoists were not very keen to go for the elections for a number of reasons. Jianrui had based his queries to Prachanda on concerns raised by the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress leaderships yesterday.

The Chinese visitors also expressed concern that the peace process could hit snags.