Kathmandu: Nepal's major political parties
are sharply divided over the issue of whether to take up the
matter of integration of the 19,000-strong former Maoists
armed rebels into regular Army after or before drafting of the
new constitution.
Hardliner Maoist leader Mohan Vaidya 'Kiran' has said
that the People's Liberation Army of the Maoist will not be
integrated before the constitution is drafted.
He also called that the important tasks of the peace
process be accomplished in a package.
The army integration, drafting of a new constitution
and restructuring of the state should be accomplished in a
package, he pointed out.
If the new constitution goes against the "aspiration"
of the people it would be necessary for the Maoists party to
launch another revolt, he warned, hinting towards the need for
the Maoist army in such a situation.
He claimed that the three-member High Level Political
Mechanism led by Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad
Koirala has the right to dissolve the present government and
form a new one. Maoist chief Prachanda and CPN-UML chairman
Jhalanath Khanal are the two other members of the body.
However, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Physical Planning and Works Vijaya Gachhadar stressed that the
statute should be drafted only after rehabilitation and
integration of the Maoist combatants.
He termed the Maoists' demand for forming a new
government under their leadership as foolish.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, February 07, 2010, 00:21