People's Democracy

Seven Parties Alliance, Maoists Make Public Second MoU

THE seven-party alliance (SPA) and the Maoist rebels made public on April 1, 2006 their second Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached between the two sides after secret talks between second generation SPA leaders and Maoists in the Indian capital New Delhi.

A meeting of the SPA leaders at Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala's residence in Kathmandu made public the second MoU. The Maoists made public the same separately through a statement issued by their leader Prachanda alias Pushpa Kamal Dahal later in the afternoon. 

On the question of constituent assembly the alliance has reiterated its earlier stance for the revival of the dissolved parliament while the Maoists have opted for an all party conference followed by constituent assembly elections.

NC president Koirala, CPN-UML's acting general secretary Amrit Kumar Bohara, NC-D president Sher Bahadur Deuba, Janmorch Nepal's vice president Leela Mani Pokharel, Nepal Peasants and Workers Party president Narayan Man Bijuckshe, Nepal Sadhbhawana Party (Ananddevi) general secretary Rajendra Mahato and United Left Front's president Nand Kumar Prasai have signed the second MoU on behalf of the SPA.

In his statement, Maoist chairman Prachanda has said that the second understanding "will pave the way to find a common political agenda in the days ahead."

Prachanda has also claimed that Maoists are committed to work in collaboration with the SPA in accordance with the spirit of 12-point understanding reached between the SPA and Maoists in November last year.

In a press statement issued after Sunday's meeting, the SPA has urged the Maoists to call off their blockade and create a conducive environment for its peaceful protest programmes. 

The alliance has called on all to support its nationwide general strike and non-cooperation protest programmes to be held on April 6-9 and a "huge peaceful protest programme" in Kathmandu on April 8.

The alliance has also urged the Maoists to support its protest programmes.