Political understanding key to resolving dispute, says PM
REPUBLICA
Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai spent a night at Rankagaun, Jumla on Saturday. While on his way back to the capital Sunday morning, PM Bhattarai talked with media persons in Surkhet. Excerpts:
There are rumors that the president would call the parties for formation of a consensus government.
I have heard the rumors. I am in regular touch with the president and there is no possibility of him taking any such move. The president would take such a step only if the political parties forward such a proposal to him through consensus.
How far have the political parties reached with regard to forging consensus?
Democracy is a competitive political system and it is only natural for the opposition to criticize the party in government. But at this critical juncture, political parties must work together to resolve the current political crisis. There is no alternative other than forging consensus. The government should be allowed to function independently. But the opposition parties want the government to take each and every move by taking their consent. This is ridiculous. Government should be allowed to carry out regular activities through normal understanding between the political parties.
At a time where everybody is talking about consensus, would mere understanding be enough?
Once the political parties reach an understanding, the issue in question could be forwarded to the cabinet for endorsement. The cabinet may then forward it to the president for final approval. But the opposition thinks that the president is the key to consensus. This is a misconception.
Why have the ordinances forwarded by the government highly controversial?
There is no other way than to run the country through ordinances when there is no parliament in place. The ordinances forwarded by the government to the president were drafted through consensus between the political parties.
What is the purpose of your visit to remote regions of the country?
I am just keeping my promise. After the Constituent Assembly election, I had made it a point to visit my home district once every month. Now that I am the PM, I have decided to visit every remote areas of the country. Jumla visit is just one of the visits I had promised to make. Such visits I believe bridge the distance between the government and the people.
Wouldn´t it be wiser to directly help the people in these remote regions instead of making a personal visit?
We should do away with the current centralized system. Personal visit gives the executive head an insight on how the local bodies have been functioning
How can the current political deadlock be resolved?
There are two possibilities - first reviving the constituent assembly and second holding fresh election to the Constituent Assembly. The political parties must first reach an understanding on one of the two issues.
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Political Understanding Key To Resolving Dispute, Says PM
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