[Marxism] Maoists demand to declare republic before constituent assembly polls

["Fei Jiao" <feijiao@xxxxxxxxx>]

Maoists demand to declare republic before CA polls
nepalnews.com
Apr 15, 2007


The central committee meeting of the Maoists has demanded that the
parliament declare a republican set up before setting a new date for
the elections of the constituent assembly.

The central committee meeting has decided to strengthen the party
organisation, strengthen the party's base in the Terai region and
initiate efforts to declare republic from the interim parliament.

Though the party had discussed the Election Commission's letter
expressing disability to conduct the election of the constituent
assembly by June 20 this year, they failed to make any decision on its
future strategy.

Talking to journalists following the central committee meeting, Maoist
chairman Prachanda said that republican set up should be declared
before setting the new dates for CA polls.

He further said that it had already been agreed that a two-thirds
majority of the parliament could formally declare the nation a
republic, and added he was pretty sure in this regard (that the
parliament can garner a two-thirds majority).

According to sources, most of the central committee members have asked
the party leadership to step down from the government and initiate
campaign for democratic republic. Prachanda however said the party had
not taken any decision in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Maoists are also tabling a proposal to declare a
republican set up in today's meeting of the ruling eight political
parties.

The Election Commission on Friday had officially stated that owing to
lack of the necessary election laws, polls were not possible on June
20, a date that was agreed upon by the leaders of the eight parties.

-----
PM, Prachanda discuss CA polls dilemma
Kantipur Report


KATHMANDU, April 16 - Maoist Chairman Prachanda on Monday called on
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to discuss the confusion
surrounding the date of the Constituent Assembly (CA) election.
According to sources, the PM and the Maoist chairman mainly focused on
the deferral of CA polls and "conspiracies" against it during the
meeting.

During the half-an-hour long meet, which began at the PM's Baluwatar
residence from 10 in the morning, the Maoist chairman reiterated his
party's stance of announcing a new polls date after declaring the
nation a republic through the interim parliament itself.

Prachanda also said that declaring Nepal a republic was a "must" as
"regressive forces" and various "national and international forces"
were conspiring against the CA elections.

In reply, the PM argued that the announcement for a republic should
not be made at the moment as the interim constitution includes the
provision to have monarchy removed through a two-thirds parliamentary
majority if the king acts against the Constituent Assembly.

The PM also said that even if the deadline for CA was set for October,
there was no guarantee that the situation would be favorable then due
to various "conspiring groups".

The duo also discussed the issue of holding yet another meeting of the
eight parties to finalize the earliest possible date for the
uncertainty-ridden CA elections.

An eight party meet scheduled for yesterday had been called off in the
last minute on grounds of inadequate homework.

There has been no announcement as to the next round of meeting.

-----
Decision on republic soon: PM Koirala
Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, April 16 - At a time when the Maoists have been stressing
the other partners of the ruling eight-party alliance to opt for a
republican setup, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Monday said
that the eight parties would soon come up with a concrete decision
whether or not to go for a republic. PM Koirala said that the issue of
whether or not to adopt the republican setup would depend on the
Maoists' "behavior." Koirala also said the Maoists should take the
seven parties into confidence.

Talking to reporters at a programme organized by the Nepal Sadbhawana
Party (Anandidevi) to mark its 17th anniversary, PM Koirala said that
the eight-party meeting would only decide on the issue of declaring
Nepal a republic.

"No decision to this end (whether to opt for a republic) has been
taken yet," said Koirala, adding, "The Maoists have been raising the
agenda of a republic from the beginning. It depends whether they (the
Maoists) will be able to take the seven parties into confidence."

The premier said, "We (the eight parties) will definitely make a
decision on this issue."

Speaking on the same occasion, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar
Nepal said that the agenda of a republic would be acceptable to his
party but, he said, the eight-party meeting should decide on this
regard.

"CPN-UML is open to discuss any issues like (Constituent Assembly)
elections and monarchy," said Nepal, adding, "Our party has raised the
issue of democratic republic."

-----

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