Maoists ignore talks deadline

Nepal’s Maoists chose not to respond to the deadline set by the government for peace talks that ended today.The silence on the part of ...

Nepal’s Maoists chose not to respond to the deadline set by the government for peace talks that ended today.

The silence on the part of the Maoists leaves little option with the Deuba government than holding elections to the 205-member House of Representatives which almost all the other political parties including some of his coalition partners do not think feasible.

‘‘I have no option than creating an atmosphere for holding elections if the Maoists do not come for dialogue,’’ Deuba said, adding the end of deadline would not mean that the government would not try for the peaceful resolution of the conflict.

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Deuba was appointed Prime Minister by King Gyanendra in July asking him to prepare for the poll by April. The country has been without an elected Parliament since May 2002 when Deuba dissolved it following his differences with his party (Nepali Congress) chief G P Koirala.

The election could not take place as scheduled within the six-month mandatory period, and the king took over executive powers in October facing angry political powers who have challenged his constitutional right to exercise power.

However, most of them are not ready for elections and instead want the dissolved parliament revived. The Deuba government is however, opposed to the revival of the dissolved House. ‘‘If Maoists do not respond positively for dialogue in the next few days, declaring election is the only option left with Deuba,’’ says a senior minister who does not want to be quoted.