Govt, parties to talk to CPN-Maoist

KATHMANDU, NOV 12 - In an effort to end the 33-party alliance's 9-day transportation strike and create an environment for peaceful election, the government and major political parties are preparing to hold talks with the CPN-Maoist -led poll-opposing bloc.

Multiple sources told the Post that party leaders and Home Minister Madhav Prasad Ghimire are reaching out to CPN-Maoistleaders and offering formal talks .

The fresh move follows Monday's crippling banda, which is scheduled to continue untill election day on November 19.

President Ram Baran Yadav also advised the government to reach out to the poll-opposing parties and seek a solution throughdialogue . Also on Monday, the National Human Rights Commission formally requested the government to bring the agitating parties to the negotiating table.

In a meeting with government Chairman Khil Raj Regmi, President Yadav said that besides ensuring effective security for the election, the government should also reach out to the protesting parties and persuade them to withdraw the banda, which, according to him, will create a better environment for free and fair polls.

Earlier, the CPN-Maoist turned down a proposal from a section of civil soceity and political leaders to withdraw the strike in return for some seats in the new Constituent Assembly. According to interlocutors, talks have so far failed because of differences of opinion within the CPN-Maoist .

Now that the CPN-Maoist is under immense pressure to withdraw the strike, the government and the major parties, including the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML, are hopeful that a fresh dialogue with the Mohan Baidya-led party could bear fruit.

Sources said Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal held informaltalks with Baidya on resuming dialogue and ending the strike.

Party leaders said they can accommodate the CPN-Maoist in the government and constitution drafting process if the party calls off the strike.

"The chairman is holding regular talks with Baidya and urging him to withdraw the strike, saying that parties are ready to address his demands," Hemanta Prakash Oli, a leader close to Dahal, said.

The parties and the government, however, did not say what is actually in offer for the CPN-Maoist . Dahal had earlier said the Baidya group could be given 26 seats in the new CA. Other proposals include offering the dissenting parties 50 seats or some ministerial portfolios in the Cabinet to be formed after the election.

CPN-M leaders, however, said there are no chances of the talksbeing held. "We will withdraw our protest programme only ifdialogue with the government begins after the postponement of the election," said CPN-Maoist Secretary Dev Gurung.

A section in the party, including CPN-Maoist chairman Baidya and Vice Chairman CP Gajurel, however, are reportedly for withdrawal of the strike. Hardliners in the party led by Netra Bikram Chand have ruled out any chances of the strike being called off.