Mechanism to decide govt: Koirala

KAMAL DEV BHATTARAI / THT

KATHMANDU: A close aide of Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala, Shekhar Koirala, on Monday urged for the formation of a national government through the much hyped high-level political mechanism.

Speaking at an interaction programme organised by the Reporters’ Club in the capital, Koirala, however, ruled out the formation of a national government under the leadership of the main opposition, UCPN-Maoist. “The high-level political mechanism should be formed before discussing about the formation of a national government , but we are in favour of continuing the present government”, said Koirala. He claimed that the present government led by UML might also be converted into a national government. Koirala dismissed the Maoist claim to lead the government.

Koirala who was also present in the meeting between the NC president and Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ in the Singapore hospital made it clear that no discussion was held on forming a new government. The discussion between the duo was basically restricted to the budget endorsement through the parliament and formation of a high-level political mechanism, added Koirala.

Koirala accused the Maoists of trying to impose totalitarianism in the country. He even claimed that his party was not against the integration of the PLA into the Nepal Army but made it clear that their demand for a bulk entry was not possible at any cost.