CPN-Maoist-led alliance to go solo against polls
KATHMANDU, JUN 25 -
The CPN-Maoist led 33-party alliance has endorsed the second round of nationwide protests against the Interim Election Government’s decision to hold the Constituent Assembly elections in November “without consultation with them”.
A meeting of the alliance held at the CPN-Maoist headquarters on Monday agreed to continue protests unless the government created an atmosphere for dialogue by immediately halting the election process.
Accusing the big parties of bypassing them instead of addressing their fair demands, the agitating parties warned of extreme measures in retaliation if the government attempted to suppress them.
“We will stop our protests if the government agrees to halt the election process and revoke a number of controversial election-related decisions. This is our bottom line for negotiation,” CPN-Maoist Secretary Dev Gurung told the Post. The announcement of the second phase of protests follows the refusal of the Ashok Rai-led Federal Socialist Party Nepal and the Upendra Yadav-led Federal Democratic Front to collaborate with the 33-party alliance.
The two major forces, who launched a joint anti-election struggle a few days ago, have decided to start protests on their own citing primarily the differences over the way they view the Khil Raj Regmi-led government.
The meeting of the alliance decided to carry on with the protests till the end. “We will not give up until all our demands are met,” said Pasang Sherpa, vice-chairman of the Social Democratic Party, adding that the absence of the Rai and Yadav-led parties would not hinder their programme.
“Our party concluded that election is impossible in the current circumstances, while the other parties are not ready to see the reality and stop the overall election process. Dialogue is meaningless until they realise,” said Gurung.
The alliance remains adamant on its demand for scrapping the 11-point and the 25-point agreements reached to remove constitutional difficulties, and replacing the incumbent non-partisan government by one of political parties.
Considering the advent of monsoon and its impact on the people, the parties have decided to take softer strategies of struggle. Leaders said they have focused more on indoor programmes and internal preparations. The party has said the week-long protest will primarily be symbolic with activities such as brief obstruction of vehicular movement, showing black flags and holding rallies.
The alliance has not targeted the mid- and far-western regions with its protests owing to monsoon-related disasters there. “We urge the government to provide the victims with relief packages,” read a joint statement.
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