Formation of the agreed upon High-level Political Committee came a cropper on Sunday as the third-largestUCPN (Maoist) reiterated its claim for the permanent leadership of the cross-party mechanism.

As per a deal reached on December 14 last year between four political forces—Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist) and Madhes-based parties, a meeting of the major parties excepting Madhesi ones on Saturday agreed to revive the mechanism in order to streamline constitution-writing and wrap up the peace process.

The ruling NC and UML and the opposition Maoists had agreed to meet on Sunday to end the leadership row, thereby paving the way for the resumption of stalled Parliament.

Sunday’s meet ended inconclusively after Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal proposed himself as the permanent leader of the mechanism.

“We strongly opposed Dahal’s proposal as he warned us not to eye the post,” said former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. “We made it clear that the HLPC should be led on a rotational basis.” The NC also turned down the Maoist proposal.

The UML proposed a model of rotational leadership in which the top leader of each party would lead for a month. Maoist leaders rejected the idea saying that frequent changes of leadership would hamper the constitution drafting process. According to a Maoist leader, the party sought the HLPC reins until the final draft of the constitution is unveiled.

The UML fears it will create dual authority if a party leads the crucial committee outside the Constituent Assembly as it can direct the government and the CA. It could also mess up the statute drafting process.

Talking to the Post, NC Joint-secretary Purna Bahadur Khadka said, “Though we decided to form a political committee, we have yet to agree on its structure. As the largest party, the NC is trying its best to sort the differences.”

The parties have agreed to sit once again on Monday. Senior NC leaders met to seek a way out on Sunday evening at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar.

Chaos as Gachhadar spits venom

Legislature-Parliament that was obstructed on the fifth day on Sunday saw a heated debate after Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar suggested that some top leaders of ruling parties go on a lasting pilgrimage to India if they fail to promulgate a new constitution in a second attempt.

He pointed out Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, senior leaders Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ram Chandra Poudel, and CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, saying that they might go to Sarnath [Varanasi] if they fail to deliver a national charter even from the second Constituent Assembly.

Sarnath is one of the four holy sites approved by the Buddha for pilgrimage. Gachhadar said the top NC and UML leaders should go there and mediate, taking retirement from politics.

Poudel interrupted Ga-chhadar saying that it was an insult and that lawmakers do not have the right to pass remarks against an individual in House.

When NC and UML lawmakers spoke against Gachhadar in loud voices, opposition members rose from seats and shouted, creating chaos. “He [Gach-hadar] showed Koirala and Deuba where to go. Where will he go if there is no constitution?” a visibly angered Poudel asked.

Speaker Subas Nembang took the situation under control by drawing the attention of Gachhadar not to make personal remarks against leaders in Parliament. He reminded both Gachhadar and ruling party lawmakers that they should abide by the law.

Opposition parties continued to obstruct the House after Gachhadar spoke for more than 30 minutes. He was aggressive as he heavily criticised the performance of the government and the ruling NC and UML. Rebuked, Gachhadar said that all the top leaders of the parties in CA should seek religious solace if they fail to prepare the national charter within a year.

Speaking in Parliament  before it was obstructed, Gachhadar said the ruling parties should be more liberal and responsible about the work. He demanded  implementation of the four-point agreement signed on December 24 last year.

House obstruction has affected the government’s preparations to present its policies and programs and the annual budget. Almost all the opposition parties are in protest demanding a High-level Political Committee, parliamentary panel to investigate alleged rigging in the second CA polls and the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.