APR 11, 2012 KATHMANDU – UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal remarked that the PLA combatants were handed over to the Nepal Army in haste considering the possible disruption to the integration process.

Talking to journalists and editors of daily newspapers at his residence in Lazimpat on Wednesday, Dahal termed the move to hand over Maoist combatants, their arms and the cantonments to Nepal Army a “bold decision”. “Yesterday’s decision to hand over combatants and weapons was made after activities aimed at disrupting integration were intensified,” the Maoist Chairman, who is believed to be leading the establishment faction within his party.

Dahal remarked that the protests by his party hard-line faction led by senior Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya “Kiran” over the decision to hand over the combatants and arms do not hold water.

“The protests by the faction of Kiran ji [Baidya] was part of their responsibility,” said Dahal, hinting at the hardliners. “This [protest] is like their regular job. But, now petty issues should not be bickered over.”

Saying that the key tasks of the integration have been completed, Dahal stressed on the need to focus on constitution drafting. “Peace process has almost concluded, only certain technical issues remain,” said the Maoist Chairman. “Now, we need to move forward on the constitution writing process.”

Dahal reiterated that the new governing system to be adopted will have the provision of a directly elected president and prime minister. He added that the federal structure would be carved on the basis of identity and capacity. He opined that the other political parties should show flexibility in constitution writing rather than showing their bitter face on differences at this moment.

There are some issues which could be solved by mutual understanding and regular dialogue between the parties which in term is not disrupting to the main goal of constitution writing and next general election within  a year or so Dahal whisper.