Nepal's Maoists today began the third phase of their agitation, leading to a three-day general strike from December 20, in a bid to dislodge the government even as it ended its blockade of the parliament to allow the passage of the crucial budget.
The former rebels, after a key meeting of the Unified CPN (Maoist), decided to allow the parliament to function for three days so as to facilitate the passage of the 2009/10 budget.
"Keeping in view our responsibility towards the general public we have decided to let the government pass the budget, though the government showed their apathy for our demands," said Maoist chairman Prachanda.
The Maoists announced yesterday a month-long agitation programme, including a three-day general strike from December 20 to 22, under their third phase of agitation to dislodge the coalition in a dispute over "civilian supremacy".
The political parties are deadlocked over the Maoists' demand to discuss the President's "unconstitutional move" in Parliament. The Maoists' two pronged policy to announce agitation on one hand and to end Parliamentary deadlock is seen as a "strategy to capture power by hook or by crook".
The Maoists' announcement of agitation while keeping open the door for dialogue shows their "confused mentality" and reveals their "opportunistic policy", said political analyst Pralhad Rijal.
The standoff has put new stresses on Nepal's reconciliation efforts amid fears that the stalled peace process may be derailed if the Maoists-led agitation is not ended soon.
The Maoists are keeping all options open to dismantle the present government, said Kiran Giri, a top leader of the Rastriya Janata Party. He said this government has already lost its relevance as it failed to resolve the on going political crisis.
The Maoists have announced a month-long protest programmes from today that includes protest rallies, demonstrations, meetings and sit-in. The former rebels have been mobilising various organisations affiliated to the Maoists to boost support for their protests.
"We will also continue talks with the ruling alliance to end the current political deadlock", said Dinanath Sharma, the Maoist spokesman. He underlined that the party will give priority to the "politics of dialogue and consensus" even as they announced the protest programme.
The Maoists' move to end the Parliament deadlock has given a much needed relief to the government which is facing financial crunch amid fears that it would be unable to pay salaries to the civil servants, police and army.
The expected arrival of former prime minister GP Koirala from Singapore today will set in process a fresh round of talks to end the political deadlock. The Nepal Congress party leader had gone to Singapore last week for medical treatment after he fell seriously ill.
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