UCPN (Maoist) PR Candidate Arrested on Murder Charge

Police on December 16 arrested Siyaram Kushwaha, a UCPN (Maoist) candidate for the Constituent Assembly under the proportional representation system. Kushwaha, who was arrested from Chitwan, is the prime accused in the murder of World Hindu Youth Association Chairman Kashiram Tiwari three years ago. Kushwaha was arrested based on the confession by another accused Aman Kushwaha, who is currently in police custody after being arrested in 2011.

 

‘Big parties violating CPA’ 

Senior CPN-Maoist leader Dev Gurung on December 17 accused the three major political parties -   NC, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) – of violating the 12-point agreement and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). During a politburo meeting of the party, which boycotted the November 19 Constituent Assembly election, Gurung cited this as the reason why his party wouldn’t participate in the Constituent Assembly. In the meeting held at party chairman Mohan Baidya’s residence at Dhapasi, Gurung who is currently acting as the coordinator of the alliance of election boycotting parties, also accused the major political parties of acting under the direct influence of foreign forces.

 

New Constitution within a Year: Nepal

Former Prime Minister and senior leader of the CPN (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that one year from here on means enough time to promulgate the new constitution. Talking to media persons in Kathmandu on Dec 17, Nepal said his and other parties were trying to bring the disgruntled parties on board the constitution making process. “We will exercise high flexibility for consensus,” he said. Nepal also remarked that the extension of the deadline by a week for the parties to submit the Proportional Representation (PR) list to the Election Commission would help create conducive environment for consensus among parties. “UML is ready to submit its PR list any time. To facilitate the process, UML central committee has delegated this task to the Standing Committee,” he said.

 

India Stresses on Inclusive CA

India, one of Nepal’s immediate neighbours, has suggested ensuring the participation of all political parties, including those who boycotted the elections last month, in the second Constituent Assembly (CA). Talking to a group of visiting Nepali editors, Indian Minister for External Affairs, Salman Khursid, said that it would not be wise to keep the disgruntled political parties out of the constitution making process. “The provision for proportional representation helps to include in the Constitution drafting process even those who lost in the election,” he said, “it is important that all parties participate in the constitution drafting process.”

 

UCPN (Maoist) to Join CA, not Govt

UCPN (Maoist) Spokesperson Agni Sakpota has said that his party will join the Constituent Assembly (CA) but not the new government to be formed. “We will join the CA,” said Sakpota while speaking at a programme in the Capital on Friday,” It was with the intention to join the CA that we had asked the Election Commission to extend the deadline for submitting the list of proportional representation.” Sapkota also made it clear that his party would not join the government. “We will not be part of the government. If it does well, we will support it from outside,” he said.