Political standoff in Nepal continues

Kathmandu, May 22: There seems to be no immediate end to the political stalemate in the Himalayan nation with Nepali Congress (NC) setting a seven-point pre-condition for support to the Maoists, which include disbanding Maoist youth wing, the Young Communist League (YCL) while the CPN-M terming their constitution amendment proposals ''politically motivated''. Senior NC leader and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba outrightly rejected any alliance with the Maoist, until they accept their seven point pre-condition for support.

''Most of the demands we put forward have already been mentioned in the Comprehensive Peace Accord and other agreements reached at different times in the past,'' he said, adding, ''Coordination (with Maoists) is totally out of the question until our demands are met.'' On the issue of resignation of Premier Koirala, he remarked, ''First let them (Maoists) fulfill our demands which will bring new circumstances, then only can we consider it.'' He made a virtual dig on the conduct of the Maoists and said even after being elected the largest party in the elections their conduct has not improved.

''Prachanda agreed there would be no parallel government, but this has been flouted by his own cadres,'' Mr Deuba charged. ''YCL are in their 'barracks' like police force and they have been threatening and beating up activists of other political parties,'' he was quoted as saying by Kantipur.

He also urged Maoists to immediately scrap the latter's parallel government and its youth wing Young Communist League (YCL).

Meanwhile, senior Maoist leader Mohan Baidhya alias Kiran said that his party would not be flexible with regard to amendment of the interim constitution that will enable change in government with a simple majority.

Addressing a programme after being awarded by Gokul Literary Award here at Pokhara, he said the proposal of bringing amendments in the constitution were ''politically motivated''.

''We have become flexible just for the formation of a government, and not for amending the constitution,'' he clarified. ''It (amendment) will not occur let whatever happen,'' he added.

Maoist have earlier outrightly rejected the demand of disbanding the YCL.

UNI