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Maoists come under pressure from allies

KATHMANDU: Two days after backing Prachanda for the prime ministerial election, the CPN (UML) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), allies of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), have warned the alliance could collapse if the Maoists do not fulfil their commitments.

“If they don’t implement the past agreements, this alliance could be broken,” said CPN (UML) leader Ishwor Pokharel on Sunday. “They must execute their commitment to abolish military structure and return all the seized properties. Else, we will pull out from the alliance,” he said. Similarly, MJF chairman Upendra Yadav had said on Saturday: “If they [Maoists] don’t implement their past commitments, what’s the point in continuing the alliance?”

The Maoists have time and again promised to return the properties and dissolve the semi-military structure of the Young Communist League. Last week on Friday, senior Maoist leader, Baburam Bhattarai, reasserted the party’s commitment to return the seized land, properties, and industries.

He also said no Maoist member of the Constituent Assembly would be involved with the People’s Liberation Army.

The Maoists’ allies have been reiterating that the Maoists need to fulfil these commitments in order to strengthen their alliance.

The unveiling of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), which was scheduled to be signed on Sunday, has been postponed. A three-party meeting at Mr. Prachanda’s residence failed to finalise the CMP.

Mr. Bhattarai said it would be released on Monday. Also, Mr. Prachanda will be sworn in on Monday.

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