New Delhi
3 June 2008
(NC's) Central Working Committee member Dr Shekhar Koirala has criticised Indian
ambassador to Kathmandu Rakesh Sood for suggesting that there is no need to amend
the interim constitution and that the Maoists must not be prevented from forming the
government.
"I am surprised and upset he should have said that. As a diplomat, what right does he
have," Dr Shekhar Koirala said here in an exclusive conversation with this newspaper.
He didn't spare the Indian media either. "All talk of Mr GP Koirala bargaining for
President is bankruptcy of media. According to Article 159 of the interim constitution, the
Prime Minister will act as head of state till a Republic is declared," he asserted.
Dr Koirala went on to say the NC appreciates that the Maoists have to be in the
government but the modalities have to be by consensus, not by diktat. "We are not
against Prachanda forming the government. On the 24th morning, the Prime Minister told
Prachanda that the Maoists must form the government," he recalled, but he explained
the Maoists cannot form a government without the help of other political parties. "Power
sharing is required," he said.
Besides amending the interim constitution to allow for formation or dissolution of
government by a simple majority and sharing of power, the NC and the CPN (UML) also
want the Maoists to disband the Young Communist League, return confiscated
properties, and integrate the Maoist guerrillas in the army, police and paramilitary
forces.
"The Maoists should be pragmatic and not act like rebels," Dr Koirala said when asked
about Prachanda's warning that his party will take to the street if the Seven Party
Alliance did not meet on Wednesday to resolve outstanding issues. Prachanda made the
remark after meeting the Prime Minister on Tuesday. Prachanda met with Indian envoy
Rakesh Sood, too, during the day.
Dr Koirala met with Mr Jaswant Singh and Mr Yashwant Sinha of the BJP and certain
Congress party leaders. He also spoke with Mr Sitaram Yechury of CPI(M). He was
looking forward to a possible meeting with Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee.
"India is an intimate neighbour. India should be a good friend and brother," he said,
adding King Gyanendra can be expected to vacate the Palace by June 12.
The NC and the CPN(UML) say the current provision of a two-third majority to form or
oust a government should go, and the Maoists should not stake claim to the posts of
both prime minister and president.
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