A chapter of political revolution over with significant progress on peace process: leader Prachanda

Kathmandu, Aug 14: Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', has said with the achievement of a significant progress to conclude the peace process, a chapter of the political revolution has been over.     

During deliberations on the Bill designed to amend the Investigation on the Enforced Disappeared Persons and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act (third amendment) – 2079BS, the leader said with the peace process nearing to a conclusion, avenues have opened for institutionalizing the achievements and advancing towards prosperity.     

As he said, the political understanding to finalize the Bill is a great justice to history and the recognition and respect to martyr's dream.     

The erstwhile Prime Minister said many more have had their roles in the progress of the peace process to date, hoping for combined efforts to implement the achievements.     

"During the promulgation of the Constitution, we demonstrated national consensus and unity in the political agenda, but failed to continue it during the implementation phase. There was a need of a high-level national consensus among use even after the promulgation of the Constitution. But, it remained elusive. Once the Bill gets endorsed, desired achievements will be secured," Prachanda  said.     

 Nepal's peace process was designed being based on the home-grown approach, the former Prime Minister said, adding that it will be capable of protecting pluralism, strengthening democratic systems and promoting social justice and full democracy to make the citizens feel the presence of peace and good governance.     

Stating that additional challenge has come before him in his capacity as one of the main leaders of the peace process, Chair Prachanda said although one of the signatories of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA), Girija Prasad Koirala, is no more with us now, he as one of the other signatories pledged to always work to keep alive the spirit of the peace process.     

"I want to recall Koirala, the then president of the Nepali Congress, as this important bill along with the remaining responsibilities of the peace process is on the way to being passed. I want to again recall here that during my last meeting with him when he was in hospital bed he had said the entire responsibility of the peace process rested on my shoulders after him," the Maoist Centre Chair said, adding that this responsibility has been today fulfilled with the consensus among all the parties.     

He described the agreement between the then Maoist Party and the seven-party alliance as the foundation stone of Nepal's peace process which became the point of departure for building an inclusive, proportional, democratic republic Nepal.     

Noting that the ongoing peace process of Nepal is a model for the world itself, he said, "Drafting of a new Constitution from the Constituent Assembly, the army integration and management of arms is the major achievement of the peace process."     

Former Prime Minister Prachanda stressed that the peace process has laid the foundation for sustainable peace for all Nepalis.     

According to him, the CPA was successful in addressing the problems of the women, Dalits, indigenous communities, nationalities, Madhesis, oppressed, neglected and minority communities, backward regions, among others by putting to an end class-based, caste-based, linguistic, gender, cultural, religious and regional discriminations.     

He also praised the task force for forging agreement on the contentious issues of the TRC Bill. The Maoist Centre Chair asserted that now there is the challenge ahead in implementing the bill in its real essence.     

He also thanked the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutterres and other international community for their support for taking Nepal's home-grown peace process to a logical conclusion.(RSS)