The ongoing political deadlock in Nepal took a new turn on Saturday with the Maoists deciding to start the third phase of their agitation to restore ‘civilian supremacy’ from next month.
The central committee of the party, however, agreed to let the parliament function without obstruction
for three days in order to pass the country’s annual budget, which has got delayed by four months.
“In view of the present circumstances, the party has decided to start the third phase of our agitation,” told Chairman of Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at a press conference on Saturday.
The month long agitation will start with a three-day general strike beginning December 20 and will intensify in the coming days if the demands are not met by the Madhav Kumar Nepal government.
The strike would affect functioning of government offices, educational and business establishments across the country. Maoist leaders stated that it won’t be as ‘peaceful’ as the first two phases.
At the end of their second-phase of agitation on November 13, the Maoists had given a week’s ultimatum to the government to give in to its demands or else face a more violent agitation.
The UCPN-Maoist who stepped down from power in May after President Ram Baran Yadav overruled its move to remove the Army chief has been seeking an apology from him and also what they call restoration of ‘civilian supremacy’.
In the past months, Maoists cadres have resorted to several measures like closing down government offices, blocking roads leading to the national capital and a blockade of Singha Durbar (the official seat of Nepal government).
The protests and demonstrations have affected normal functioning of the parliament. The country’s annual budget tabled in July is yet to be passed, leading to a severe fund crunch in various departments.