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NC leaders divided over joining Maoist-led government

Nepali Congress acting president Sushil Koirala Sunday said his party will not join the Maoist-led government under any circumstances, terming the remarks by few of his party leaders in favor of joining the ruling coalition as “their personal views”, something which is similar to “day-dreaming”.

Koirala, who is nephew to NC President Girija Prasad Koirala, was speaking at a programme organized by Press Union at Besisahar in mid-western Lamjung district. He said the meetings conducted by Prime Minster Pushpa Kamal Dahal with few NC and UML leaders in the past few days was not to give continuation to the politics of consensus but to give a false impression to the public.

Terming the government’s decision against extending the term of the army top brass as unfortunate, the NC acting president warned that the episode may prove “disastrous” for the Maoists themselves. He also said the government’s decision was a way of getting back at the army which had disobeyed it orders in the past.

He further expressed his displeasure by saying that the Maoist combatants can’t be inducted into the national army by any chance.

Meanwhile, NC spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC also talked in pretty much the same line as Koirala while ruling out any possibility of his party joining the government.

KC claimed that the current Maoist-led government is functioning in an “autocratic manner”, adding that for his party, joining the coalition will be like “signing on its own death certificate”. He, however, denied claims that NC is trying to topple the Maoist led government.

Speaking at a press meet in Pokhara, he also accused the Maoists of trying to weaken the Nepal Army by not extending the term of eight brigadier generals.

The remarks by the two NC stalwarts against joining the ruling coalition comes a day after PM Dahal hinted at the cabinet expansion and said the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) had sent feelers suggesting it was willing to join the 23-member cabinet.

Meanwhile, senior NC leader Sujata Koirala said at a press meet in Makwanpur today that NC may consider joining the government if the Maoists make “an enabling atmosphere for this”.

The daughter of NC president stressed that for this the Maoists needs to implement past understandings, adding that if that happens, her party is even ready to “assist the government”. nepalnews.com ag Mar 22 09