Form govt first, constitution amendment later: Maoists

Kathmandu, April 30 (UNI) The CPN-Maoist central committee has decided that the party should be allowed to head the government first, while negotiations on power sharing and constitutional amendment can be discussed later.

''The next government will be formed under the current constitution and the amendment process, if deemed necessary, will begin only after the formation of the new government,'' Maoist central leader and lawmaker Barsaman Pun said.

The committee has set a three-point agenda for the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly - abolition of monarchy, proclamation of a republic and formation of a new coalition government, he was quoted by the Kantipur as saying.

The NC, UML and the Madhesi People's Rights Forum, however, have set the amendment of the current interim constitution as a major pre-condition before the formation of a new government.

They have demanded that the current constitutional provision that requires a two-thirds majority to remove the prime minister must be amended so that a simple majority can change the government.

However, Maoists want to form the government in the present situation and discuss the constiution amendment later.

During the committee meeting, Maoist Chairman Prachanda said the Maoists are ready to share power with all other political parties.

''According to the spirit of the current interim constitution, the Maoist will share power with all other political parties,'' Ananta quoted Prachanda as saying. ''But the Maoists, being the largest party, will hold the executive power in the next government,'' he added.

All central leaders stressed that the Maoists must respect the people's mandate and shouldn't compromise on assuming leadership of the next government, according to Ananta.

As against the demand of other political parties, the meeting decided that the Maoists' youth wing--Young Communist League (YCL)-- won't be dissolved.

''The dissolution of the YCL is a non-issue and since it is a political organisation, it won't be dissolved,'' said Ananta, adding, ''The UML and the NC should be ready to dissolve their youth organiations before the dissolution of the YCL.'' The meeting decided to monitor the return of seized property after the formation of a new government.

UNI XC SLD MIR KP2120