On Constitution
The constitution writing process has been delayed due to the wrangling among political parties. If the parties become serious and discharge their responsibility sincerely, the statute can be drafted in three months. Our party will leave no stone unturned for establishing civilian supremacy and preserving national sovereignty. Unlike other parties, our party genuinely wants the new constitution for the federal, democratic republic of Nepal. This is the reason our party leader agreed to lead the high level committee to sort out differences over constitutional matters. Although the process of political negotiations has started a little bit late, there is a possibility for positive results. Our party has already sacrificed a lot in the name of national consensus and peace, now it is time for other political parties to follow us. Our party will never accept the parliamentary form of government as it has already failed in Nepal.

Similarly, our party will not compromise on federalism and secularism. The judiciary must come under the parliament. As our country is heading for development, we need political stability. This is the reason we are proposing for a directly elected president. If the situation remains the same, the writing of the new constitution will be difficult. The country will not get the constitution even if the CA’s term is extended by another 10 years, and unless there is an end to ‘external’ interference. As long as agents continue to be at the helm of government and power in Nepal, the country will never be able to draft the constitution. The experiences of the past have shown that those who are currently in Nepal government are definitely working against Nepal’s national interests.

Budget
Of course, we don’t want to see the country’s economic system collapse. However, the caretaker government does not have the right to bring in the full budget under any circumstances. If it does so then that will be construed as a violation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The current caretaker government does not also have the "moral authority" to present a full budget at the House. If the current government brings in the budget then such a move will be against the "interim constitution". As the main opposition party, UCPN (Maoist) would not allow anybody to violate or go against the interim constitution. Our party has already made it clear that it will allow temporary arrangement for the budgets. So far as bringing the full-fledged budget is concerned, it is impossible.

Indian Role
India does not want federalism and secularism in Nepal. India does not want Nepali sovereignty and it does not want to see various ethnic groups of Nepal living in peace and harmony. What does India then want in Nepal? What has gone wrong with India in Nepal of late? Our party always salutes the people of India who supported our struggle but we always condemn the hegemonic role of Indian government. India would not allow peace process to conclude and the constitution to be drafted against its will. The power that was concentrated in Narayanhiti now has shifted to Lainchaur instead of Singhadurbar. We want that power to shift to people.

The Nepali people shed their blood to transfer power from Royal Palace to Singh Durbar but the power vanished in the ethereal medium somewhere around Lainchaur-palace where the Indian embassy is located. The power that is now in Lainchaur must be brought back to the sovereign Nepali people. Unless and until we liberate our motherland from Indian colonialism, the drafting of constitution is not possible even in a decade’s time.

Federalism
The ethnicity-based federalism is the appropriate way to solve the problems facing the country. The zonal administrative structure introduced by late King Mahindra was against the aspirations of different communities. Federal structure based on geography will simply not work. I am certain that ethnicity-based federalism is necessary for harmony and unity among different communities. The demand for single Madhes province is irrelevant in the present context because it infringes upon the rights of indigenous groups in Terai, and will give rise to monopoly of some groups there. Our party has proposed 13 states and different sub-states. The states should be given autonomy while certain rights related to defense; foreign policy and monetary policy should be with the central government. Big power projects and highways should be controlled by the central government while the states can devise their development plans on their own. The Swiss model of federal system is more applicable in our country than any other model.

The national integrity is facing threat. There is the need of unity among all the nationalist forces to save the sovereignty of the nation. There will be no agreement with India on Nepal's internal affairs. India wants various ethnic groups of Nepal fight with each other because it weakens Nepal’s strengthened Nationalism. The Unified Maoists’ Party wants to establish equal share for all ethnic groups and fight for it.

No Alternative to Republic
There is no alternative to federal, democratic republic. So far as a possible return of the monarchy is concerned, it is just a myth. Nepalese people have already overthrown monarchy because of its alliance with foreign reactionaries. If other parties follow the path of the monarchy, they will also face similar consequences. Those who proposed for the concept of baby King are now blaming us for making alliance with former King.

It is just a dream for Gyanendra to think about returning monarchy. As the monarchy is history, other party will also be the same. Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Poudel, who has already set a new record in losing the elections for dozens of times, should have to give up his candidacy and pave the way to form the new government under the leadership of our party leader comrade Prachanda.
(Gurung is a UCPN-Maoist leader and member of CA. New Spotlight took his views from an interaction program.)