He said leaders of the major political parties must find a solution to the matter at the earliest.[break]
"If UNMIN departs before we find an alternative to it, the CPA might collapse and the peace process may eventually meet with an accident," Khanal said while addressing a gathering organized by the party´s Kathmandu district chapter on Friday. "The peace process must be taken to a logical end."
As the UNMIN term is expiring on January 15, political parties have expressed differing views on an alternative to the UN body that has so far monitored the arms and armies. While the government has been saying that the special committee headed by the prime minister will take over the responsibility, the Maoists are lobbying for UNMIN´s extension until the former Maoist fighters are integrated into government security agencies or rehabilitated into society.
However, UML standing committee member KP Sharma Oli, who is believed to be Khanal´s archrival within the party, said at the same function that there is no need for any hue and cry as UNMIN´s departure has come as per the agreement that the major political parties reached four months ago.
"Four months ago, the parties had reached an agreement in consensus on ending UNMIN´s term in four months and Pushpa Kamal Dahal had signed that," Oli said.
Khanal suggested that the Maoists concentrate all their efforts on constitution-writing and concluding the peace process instead of going for a revolt. He said the Maoists would be finished if they chose to go for a revolt.
"They [Maoists] must emphasize peace and constitution. I urge them to review their decision even if they have decided [at the recently held plenum] to go for insurrection," Khanal said.
While Khanal, who has a soft corner for the Maoists, urged the former rebels for a course correction, Oli laid the blame on the Maoists for the present deadlock.
- Maoist revolt will not last more than two days: Oli
- Problem lies in NC as well: Khanal
Oli, who is a fierce critic of the Maoists, said as the Maoists decided at their plenum to adopt a policy of revolt, it has further complicated the present political situation. "The Maoist decision to go for revolt has put the peace process in crisis," Oli said.
While Khanal was of the view that all three major political parties must work in consensus for delivering peace and constitution, Oli ruled out any such possibility as the Maoists have so far not given up violence.
Oli claimed that though the Maoists have been threatening to launch a revolt it holds no substance. "The indefinite strike called by the Maoists was foiled by the government last year, and the Maoist revolt will be thwarted in a similar manner. I had urged them to recall their indefinite general strike. The strike lasted six days. And I declare that their revolt will not last more than two days," Oli said.
After Oli spoke about the wrongdoings of the Maoists, Khanal said the problem lies not only with the Maoists but also with the Nepali Congress (NC).
Khanal said while fighting the ultra-leftists, the party should also attack the rightists.
"KP comrade talked a lot about the Maoists but I say the problem lies in the NC as well," Khanal said. He said the status quo mentality of the NC leaders was obstructing revolutionary change in the country.
"NC leaders are only for political liberty. Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly alone are not enough. We want economic, social and cultural transformation," Khanal said.
He urged the NC leaders to be flexible and adopt a policy of reconciliation.
Related story
NC leader Koirala and then UNMIN Chief Ian Martin hold meeting
