End deadlock

The three major political parties – Maoists, NC and UML – have expedited talks to end the political impasse that has blocked the House sessions and left the constitution-writing process in limbo. Though the informal talks have been going on for the past several days, including during the Dashain festival, the parties have now formed formal talks team to speed up dialogue. The meetings between top leaders – especially between Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and NC President Girija Prasad Koirala – seem to have cut a lot of ice of mistrust and has given an indication of their seriousness to end the deadlock. We have written several editorials, perhaps the highest in number on any single issue, on the need to end the stalemate and to focus on the singular responsibility of writing the constitution within the stipulated time. Every passing day, the urgency grows, as does the risk of our inability to meet the deadline.



The ramifications of not being able to write the constitution on time are simply unfathomable at this juncture. Not only that the Nepalis, who voted so enthusiastically during the last Constituent Assembly elections, will lose faith in their leaders and hope in the political system, but those who want to see this political process fail will also feel emboldened. Among the forces who want to see this process get derailed, the armed groups, which range from outright criminal outfits to some ethnic and renegade units who want to fulfill their demands – however weird – through violence, are the most dangerous. Matrika Prasad Yadav has openly stated his desire to form a coalition with armed groups working in Tarai while various Kirat factions active in the eastern hills have been moving freely in the hinterlands, brandishing modern weapons and terrorizing people. If the political parties duly elected by the people fail to sort out their differences and assert their authority, these groups will, no doubt, fill in the vacuum.



We hope the parties not only understand the gravity of the situation but will be able to reach an agreement on the past differences and on a common future course. We want to emphasize that the parties have no luxury of time for posturing when they sit for dialogue this time around. Plain and honest talk is what is necessary. And remember that without flexibility on either side, agreement is not going to be possible. The secretariat meeting of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) held on Tuesday said the party would maintain maximum flexibility but also asserted that there will be no compromise on the issues of “civilian supremacy” and “president’s action”. Well, to go to a negotiating table with “non-negotiable” issues is the best way to sabotage the outcome of that negotiation. We hope that’s not the intention of the Maoist party.

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