Maoist-led-government in Nepal has formulated conditions for formation of a new party in the country in the proposed draft Constitution.

As per the draft Constitution prepared by the Maoists, only those organisations and political parties will be allowed to function which have forward-looking approach and which do not nourish feudalism and colonialism.

"This shows Maoists' intention to impose authoritarian single party rule by using such vague terms in the Constitution," constitutional expert Dinesh Tripathi said.

"Who is to define which party is pro-feudalism and pro-colonialism?", asks Tripathi.

Pointing out that the Maoists want to enjoy monopoly over power by establishing a one-party dictatorship in the cover of democracy and federalism, he said that those who would disagree with them will not be allowed to open a political party, which means a controlled system.

Tripathi also accused the Maoists of trying to disrupt the drafting process by obstructing the movement of Constituent Assembly members who have been assigned the job to gather people's opinion on what they expect from the new Constitution and draft it accordingly. Recently, a CA team, surveying Rukum district, a Maoist stronghold in west Nepal, was allegedly beaten up by some Maoists cadres which prompted the authorities to impose curfew in the district.

aNepali Congress vice president Ram Chandra Poudyal said the Maoists were trying to manipulate public opinion with an aim to impose authoritarian rule through the new Constitution.

"Incidents in various places including Rukum show that the Maoists are working in a planned manner to manipulate public opinion," he said.

Ethnic groups close to the Maoists are also indulging in blocking process of collecting suggestions by instigating violence in different parts of the country.

Authorities yesterday imposed curfew in Lahan in Siraha district after members of a local ethnic group vandalised vehicles to stop a CA team which was going to collect opinions for drafting the Constitution.

In Rautahat of southern Nepal, members of Tharu ethnic group imposed strike to obstruct movement of CA team.

Nepal's Constituent Assembly has set April as deadline to prepare a draft Constitution and the new Constitution will have to be promulgated by May 2010 as per schedule.

The disruption of the works could jeopardise the Constitution drafting process, political observers feel.

Bureau Report