“We have decided to hold talks with the NC from each and every angle. But the disputed constitutional issues and modality for PLA integration would be the main agenda and power-sharing secondary,” said Maoist Vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha. [break]
Shrestha said that his party has agreed in principle on NC´s participation in the government to conclude peace process and constitution drafting.
The party has decided to step up talks with the NC and the UML from Sunday. Maoist leader Shakti Basnet, his party is ready to strike a power-sharing deal with the NC.
“It is also the spirit of the seven-point deal [singed between Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and Maoist Chairman Dahal]. If NC is ready to join the government, it would automatically become part of the deal,” said Basnet who is close to Dahal. The so-called secret power-sharing deal between Dahal and Khanal was about giving the UML and the Maoists to run the government by turns.
The Maoist meeting on Saturday also handed over the responsibility of nominating ministers from the party to Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. “The chairman would consult us and send new leaders into the government,” Shrestha said.
The party in the next meeting on Monday would chart out new political programs to be implemented before the constitution drafting deadline on May 28.
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