Only unity govt can hold polls: Paudel

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

POKHARA: Nepali Congress Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel today said that the Constituent Assembly election was possible only if it is held by a consensus government.

Speaking at a press meet organised by the Press Union Kaski, Paudel said, "A consensus government can conduct the election and transform the CA into parliament. However, both the Madheshi parties and Maoists do not wish for consensus."

Paudel went on to say, "Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has been saying that he would quit the post as soon as agreement reaches but his own party has been obstructing the consensus process."

The Congress leader warned that the party would stage strict programmes to dissolve the incumbent government if an agreement could not be reach at the earliest. He said, "Maoist party which has been heading towards totalitarianism would not give up power so easily, therefore public pressure was necessary for their removal."

He said that President should also give his decision regarding the formation of a consensus government. "President should take decision using the international trend rather than going through the law only," he added.

Paudel said while only two-three debatable issues remained to clinch an agreement on the CA, the Maoists raised the issues of ethnic nationalities and have obstructed the whole process.

Expressing faith on the democratic constitution, he said, only that would respect the right of all ethnic nationalities rather than waging a cultural war. Paudel said, "Congress would be strong only when democracy gets rooted in the country,” adding that, "No dictator had ever weakened democracy anywhere.”

Regarding party split, he clarified that Congress would not split at any cost as party cadres also wished for the unity among the leaders.