Congress, UML decry new alliance

KATHMANDU, AUG 26 - The Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML have raised serious concerns over the formation of the Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA), saying that the move will further deepen polarisation between the NC-UML on one hand and the UCPN (M)-Madhesi Morcha-Janajati forces on the other. The parties have claimed that the peace process has come to an end because of the ruling parties’ decision to form an alliance, sidelining democratic parties. A joint meeting of the two parties, held for the first time after the alliance was formed, said an attempt to portray democratic parties like the NC and the UML as anti-federal forces has invited “serious confrontation” among parties. “The UCPN (Maoist) has formed this alliance to undermine the role of other parties and portray us as anti-federal forces. We are against this,” said NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel after the meeting. He said that the formation of the alliance has breached all peace accords, including the 12-point understanding. In the meeting, leaders from both parties claimed that the “double speak” of the ruling parties, mainly the UCPN (Maoist), was leading the country towards crisis. They said that the Baburam Bhattarai-led government’s recent actions concerning ordinances and the formation of a new alliance were aimed at imposing an ‘authoritarian rule’.

Leaders from both parties said the formation of FDRA, the forceful bid to endorse ordinances, and the delay in the resignation of the government as per the five-point deal were examples of how the coalition wanted to run the country. “We are against this alliance and its activities,” said UML leader Bhim Rawal. Leaders decided to boycott all meetings called by the alliance. The ruling parties had formed the alliance of “pro-federal forces” on August 9 to weaken anti-government protests of the opposition parties, mainly NC and UML. Additionally, the ruling parties stated that the alliance would continue until a new government was formed through elections. Both parties stressed the formation of a consensus government. “The prime minister should quit for the sake of consensus-based politics,” Rawal said. “The government is leading parties towards confrontation while we want to end the stalemate. The responsibility lies with the government.” According to NC leader Minendra Rijal, both parties agreed to come up with a common position for a four-party meeting scheduled for Sunday. “We discussed current political issues and the stalled peace process to lay groundwork for the meeting scheduled for Sunday,” said Rijal. UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the Madhesi Morcha have called a four-party meeting on Sunday to discuss the prolonged political deadlock. Asked whether they would participate in the Special Committee meeting called by the PM, leaders attending the meeting said they were yet to decide on this. “Despite several agreements, the integration process has been stalled. Thus, our presence will depend upon whether the government can implement the agreements promptly or not,” said the leaders. ekantipur

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