Prachanda in search of strategy to hit two targets with one arrow

KATHMANDU: The CPN-Maoist Center, the main component of the ruling coalition, has opposed to the US grant Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement at a time when the agenda has reached a turning point in parliament for ratification.

Along with the Maoist Center, the CPN-Unified Socialist is also in opposition to MCC.

The Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ unwillingly gave his approval last week to the Nepali Congress (NC)-led government to table MCC in the parliament, sensing that the ruling coalition was at stake.

As MCC has been tabled in the parliament, the Maoist Center is now seeking a strategy to hit two targets with one arrow. On one hand, the Maoists are keen to keep the coalition intact while, on the other, they do not want to see MCC passing from the parliament.

Prime Minister and President of the ruling Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba has increased pressure on Prachanda by intensifying talks with the main opposition CPN-UML. Nevertheless, Prachanda is hell-bent on achieving both: saving the alliance and blocking the passage of MCC.

Taking to social network Facebook on Wednesday, he mentioned that many conspiracies were being hatched to overthrow the government and that he would emerge successful by foiling them all. His statement indicated that he would put in efforts to save the ruling coalition.

After a plenary meeting of the Bagmati Province Committee today, Prachanda reiterated that MCC was allowed to be tabled under pressure but he would not allow its passage. The Maoists and Unified Socialist have said they would vote against the MCC in parliament.

“We are against the MCC,” he said. The main goal is to save the alliance and ensure MCC fails. Speaker Agni Sapkota tried to hinder moving forward MCC. Nevertheless, as the government asked to table it, it had to be done. Earlier, Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara had stopped MCC. Everyone is pressuring the speaker.”

He said though he allowed tabling the compact to save the speaker and the alliance, now his party would vote against it.