KATHMANDU, Aug 14: Amidst growing polarization between the ruling parties and the oppositions and with prospect of consensus still hazy, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said Tuesday that the politics of consensus was at risk.
“The politics of consensus that began with the 12-point understanding is at risk,” said Dahal, “There is a clear lack of leaders like Girija Prasad Koirala at present.”
The Maoist chairman´s remarks were directed at the 12-point agreement signed between an alliance of the seven parties and the Maoists in November 2005 in New Delhi to jointly fight the then direct rule of King Gyanendra.
The Maoist chairman´s remarks came amidst fear that the politics will be more polarized as both the ruling parties and the oppositions were moving ahead by forming their separate fronts. The ruling parties are announcing their joint front on Wednesday.
Talking to journalists at a face-to-face program organized by Reporters´ Club Nepal at his residence in Lazimpat, Dahal also indirectly conceded that the alliance was being formed to counter the alliance of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML.
“I tried my best to forge political consensus over the past two years but could not. I have realized that the strength of my party alone was not enough to forge consensus. A more powerful force is required,” said Dahal underling the need for formation of the alliance of political parties and groups that support federalism with identity.
Though leaders have said that the alliance will counter Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, Dahal asked journalists not to take the alliance wrongly. He further said the alliance would move ahead in the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim Constitution and people´s movement to resolve the present political and constitutional deadlock.
“The alliance is for consensus and institutionalizing achievement of [political] change,” said Dahal on the purpose of the formation of the alliance.
When asked how he would assure the people that the politics will not be polarized through the formation of the alliance, Dahal said, “If you do not believe on what I said, you are [free] to think accordingly.”
Earlier, Dahal vented his ire against Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala, accusing him of not making serious efforts to create an environment of trust.
“The country is in need of a leader of the caliber of Girija Prasad Koirala who can take decision. The country cannot expect much from a person who has a strong desire to be the prime minister but cannot say so.”
“If he has such a desire, he should create conducive environment. He should be ready to take a risk,” Dahal said of Sushil Koirala.
Dahal also accused Koirala of trying to vitiate the environment for consensus. “He used to pass negative comments in the past and has not taken initiative to create conducive environment for forging consensus even now. I am surprised why he has been doing so,” Dahal said.
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