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“We’ll never break peace process”

Pushpa Kamal Dahal

KATHMANDU: Two days after resigning as Prime Minister, chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said the next government would be formed under the Maoists’ leadership.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he promised that the Maoists would never break the peace process.

Prachanda resigned on Monday following President Ram Baran Yadav’s “unconstitutional move” to allow General Rookmangud Katawal, sacked by the government, to stay as Army chief. He demanded that the President withdraw his request so that the House could resume, paving the way for government formation.

On the issue of release of a video footage (taken more than a year ago), in which he revealed the party’s plans of staging a coup and capturing power, Prachanda claimed that it was a way to divert the people’s attention from the President’s “unconstitutional move.”

The video was released by the Nepali media a day after his resignation.

However, Prachanda admitted to having delivered such a speech.

Asked whether the Maoists lost the confidence of the people and the international community in the wake of the video episode, he said, “People will have certainly some doubts, but slowly it will be erased and an environment of trust would be created.”

Prachanda said the Army integration and rehabilitation would take place as per the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

PTI reports:

The Maoist leader said his party would not tolerate “any kind of interference” in Nepal’s internal affairs from “any part of the world” as he accused India of “breaking the politics of consensus” in the country. He denied having made any remark against India while announcing his resignation. “I have not blamed either India, China or the U.S. What I have done is I only opposed foreign intervention.”

However, he said, “people here feel India’s role was not positive” in the Army chief issue.

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