Kathmandu, October 13: A crucial meeting of the ruling CPN-UML-led alliance and the Nepal Maoists today failed to break the political deadlock, which has disrupted the functioning of the parliament and stalled the peace process.
The CPN (UML), Nepali Congress and Unified CPN (Maoist) failed to arrive at a consensus with regard to draft to be introduced in the 601-member Constituent Assembly, which functions as the Parliament, to end the deadlock over the role of President Ram Baran Yadav in the row linked to the controversial reinstatement of former army chief General Rukmangad Katawal.
The Nepali Congress, the largest party in the 22-party ruling alliance, disapproved a Maoists’ amendment, which said the reinstatement of Katawal by the President was “unconstitutional”, the nepalnews online said. It was firm that the President’s move could not be called “unconstitutional”.
The Maoists have been blocking the Parliament and organising protest rallies since Prachanda resigned as Prime Minister on May 4 after President Yadav reinstated General Katawal, who has now retired.
Describing President Yadav’s move to reinstate General Katawal as “unconstitutional and undemocratic”, Prachanda has said he had fired the then army chief to maintain “civilian supremacy” in the country.
—Agencies