Sep 12, 2010

Maneuvering For Prime Ministerial Portfolio

            The Third and the Fourth Rounds of voting by Nepal parliamentarians to elect a Prime Minister failed to produce results. In the Third Round, Maoist Chairman Dahal secured 259 votes with a few smaller parties including Nepal Workers and Peasants Party voting for him. The fourth round of voting on 23 August also turned to be futile with Dahal securing 246 votes in his favour while 111 votes were cast against him. He had received 242 votes in first voting and 241 votes in the previous run-off. 114 votes were cast against him, while 208 exercised the 'no vote' option. Some 206 lawmakers opted for 'no vote' section in the ballot paper. Altogether 563 lawmakers participated during the voting. While Nepal Congress nominee, Poudel got 124 votes 243 voted were cast against him and 200 lawmakers remained neutral. UML with 108 lawmakers and the Madhesi Front with 81 lawmakers decided to stay out of the contest.

            The prospects for the next round on 5 September also remain uncertain given the nature of Nepali polity.  Some developments in the interim period are however noteworthy.  The UCPN (Maoist) held a central committee meeting.  Two vice chairmen Mohan Baidya and Dr Baburam Bhattarai, presented separate proposals seen as a 'counter' to party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. With these separate reports, possibility of a split in the UCPN (Maoist) is being talked about in Kathmandu and the same may be one of the possibilities in the days ahead if the dead lock is not broken.

In a related development, Maoist Chairman indicated to journalists that he may withdraw candidacy for the post of Prime Minister before the next election for September 5 to end the current political deadlock. Dahal agreed to withdraw the candidature only if the Nepal Congress also did the same. With this there are two possibilities in case Nepal Congress withdraws its nominee, the precondition that Mr Dahal has set for the same. The first would be formation of a national consensus government with a common minimum programme but that will be possible if Maoists agree to various conditions laid down by other parties including return of seized properties and dismantling the Young Communist League. A constitutional amendment will also be required in this case. The other option is formation of a government led by CPN UML which has stated that it would only seek power if it is assured of two thirds majority. In case the Maoists are willing to support the UML then an equation could be worked out.

The three main Parties have laid down a number of conditions for consensus building. The Unified CPN M wants amendment to the Interim Constitution to revive the system of consensus government. "Peace and constitution cannot be ensured if we engage in making and breaking majority governments," Sharma said while speaking at the Reporters Club, "If Nepali Congress and UML come up with a proposal to amend the constitution we will think about withdrawing the candidacy (of Dahal)." The Nepal Congress wants the Maoists to dismantle the paramilitary structure of the Young Communist League (YCL) and return the properties seized during the insurgency, among others. The UML circulated a paper on 21August suggesting a number of steps as follows:-

1. UCPN (M) - the Maoists to disband the para military structure of the YCL and return the seized properties within one month.

2. The Maoist combatants to be brought under the Special committee for integration/rehabilitation etc. and all the 28 PLA camps to be closed.

3. The PLA combatants to be given a choice either to choose rehabilitation or for joining the security agencies.

4. End the double security arrangements now being allowed for the Maoists leaders.

5. Form three commissions immediately as per the Comprehensive Peace Agreement- one for truth and reconciliation, one for disappearances and one for scientific land reforms.

SEP 2010