Dr. Mahat trashes accusations of 'counter-revolution'

Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Finance Minister and central leader of Nepali Congress (NC), has trashed accusations that his party was leading counter-revolution.

Dr Ram Sharan Mahat (File Photo)

Responding to remarks made by Maoist chairman Prachanda that efforts were being made to launch counter-revolution, Dr. Mahat said, "It is farcical to even imagine that NC would be a party to such counter-revolution. We struggled against the autocratic monarchy and we are working hard for peaceful settlement of the conflict."

"The only thing we want is to guarantee the democracy," he said, speaking at an interaction programme at Reporters' Club.

He also deplored the Maoists for running what he called as 'torture chambers' in their camps – in reference to the reports of killing of a local resident of Koteshwore, Ramhari Shrestha by Maoist workers who had earlier abducted him to Chitwan camp of Maoist army.

Dr Mahat also said that his party is ready to step down from the government in a "democratic manner", but he reiterated the conditions his party has put forward for doing so.

Dr Mahat said that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who is also the NC president, is 'eager' to hand over the reins of government in a democratic way, but "he would do so only after the provision of electing president as the Head of State is included and the 2/3rd majority of the parliament required to remove the prime minister is amended to make it a just a simple majority".

He also hinted that the NC would refrain from handing over the reins until the procedure of drafting the constitution begins.

Speaking at the programme, Dr Mahat, who has been very vocal in his criticism of the Maoist highhandedness after suffering injuries to his head in an attack reportedly carried out by Maoist cadres on his election victory rally, urged the Maoists to also avoid exhibiting their "fascist behavior". He also said that although it has become necessary to increase the petroleum prices, the current government would not do so right now.

Dr Mahat also said that the new finance minister of the new government would finalise the budget for the coming fiscal year.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mahat has said that the decision whether to hike the price of fuel will be taken by the new government. Due to lack of price adjustment, the state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has said it is unable to supply fuel in adequate quantity resulting in acute shortage. nepalnews.com sd/ag May 18 08