KIRAN PANDAY

"The declaration of federal states is a serious conspiracy", KP Oli, 28 November

"To protest against the declaration of federal states is a ploy to prevent the country from going for federalism", Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, 30 November

"There will be civil war if we integrate the PLA into the Nepal Army", NC leader Sushil Koirala, 2 December

"Wilful declaration of federal states is a big conspiracy", PM Madhav Kumar Nepal, 3 December

"Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is trying to become a king without a crown", NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel, 3 December

If their speeches are anything to go by, the country is heading to a confrontation rather than a completion of the peace process and a new constitution. If leaders sometimes appear to be reaching a consensus, they inevitably
pull away.

Why? Youth leaders of the big three parties think power-grabbing prevails in politics. They say that the constituent assembly should be the primary issue and power secondary but it is other way round.

Besides, leaders contradict their own speeches. NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba stressed the need for a high-level political mechanism in Biratnagar on November 30. On the same day in Itahari, just 20km away, he said, "The high-level mechanism will be a place for gossip, there is no need for it."

Such contradictory statements have brought internal party rifts to the fore:
"The coalition does not become rightist just because there are no Maoists", PM Nepal, politburo meeting, 2 December

"We have to leave the government if need be", UML chairman Jhal Nath Khanal, politburo meeting, 2 December
"The NC itself is going against the peace process by opposing the idea of a high-level political mechanism", Deputy PM Sujata Koirala, 29 November

The leaders themselves are not oblivious to their contradictions:
"Leaders have become irresponsible. They don't have control over their own speech", NC leader Purna Bahadur Khadka

"The leaders' expressions show the forces that want confrontation have become stronger within the party", Maoist leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi