"We are open" - Nepali Times

From The Nepali Press
"We are open"
Interview with UML politburo member Pradip Gyawali in Chhalphal, 19 December

FROM ISSUE #533 (24 DEC 2010 - 30 DEC 2010) | TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Chhalphal: Why did UML give up its neutral position in the PM election and who is likely to lead the new government?
Pradip Gyawali: Our honest and relentless efforts to form a national unity government for the past five months yielded no results. The never-ending election process has created uncertainty. Ideally, there is no alternative to national consensus but as the chance of consensus is waning, we decided to open up room for the possibility of a majority government as well. We are open to all possibilities. But we believe there is no possibility of the Maoists leading the government until they are disarmed. We have not specified who should lead the government. Any democratic force can lead.

It means the Maoists don't have a chance to lead the government.
First of all, the Maoists are not disarmed. Second, they have failed to garner the required majority in the past and withdrew their candidacy. Therefore, I don't see any possibility of the Maoists leading the government.

So the neutral stance of UML for national consensus has now been proved wrong?
The decision was not wrong but did not get implemented. The undeniable fact is that a national unity government was and is still relevant for writing the constitution and completing the peace process. It did not work out because others did not cooperate. UML's effort alone was not enough.

Is there still the possibility of a national consensus?
We are still making efforts for a national consensus. We are discussing the probable modalities of a consensus government. For instance, this transition period should be divided up into three phases: first the peace process, then constitution writing, and finally a new election for a new government. The big three political parties will lead the government in turn throughout one phase.

This means the possibility of a majority government has increased.
That's right. If a consensus government is not possible, a majority government should be formed to end the current impasse. But even in a majority government, there are two things we should focus on. First, the government of majority will keep striving for a consensus government for which it should be ready. Second, efforts should be made to forge a consensus in constitution writing and the peace process.

Does your party lead or support NC in forming a majority government then?
Since the Maoists cannot lead the government, there is a possibility of NC leading the new government. We don't have selfish and self-centred motives to claim a government under our leadership. UML is ready to take the responsibility if others want us to. We don't have any preconditions and prerequisites for whoever takes the leadership. We are open.

Who does UML nominate for the post of PM in the new process then?
This is yet to be discussed. We can take the responsibility but we don't claim leadership. If other parties feel UML should take the lead in the new process, then we will field our candidate.