'NC won't give up govt's leadership unless Maoists dump weapons'
Leaders of the CPN (Maoist) and the Nepali Congress appear to have serious differences over the leadership of the next government.
Speaking at an interaction at the Reporter's Club Saturday, vice president of Nepali Congress (NC) Gopal Man Shrestha said the NC would not pass the leadership of the government to the Maoists until the arms possessed by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were destroyed or handed over to the national army.
He asked if the chief of an army organisation were ever given the leadership of the next army in the world. Although the peace agreement and
interim constitution has not barred the Maoist leadership to rein power before their arms are destroyed, Shrestha said such provision should not be taken as ultimate end in politics.
He also said that the NC would not give up power until the Maoists garner support of two-third majority.
But, Maoists leader Janardan Shrma 'Prabhakar' asserted that the Maoists would lead the next government under leadership of chairman Prachanda. He challenged other political parties to say that they would not respect the people's verdict if they want to continue to lead the government.
UML leader Shankar Pokharel said that the next government should be under the Maoist leadership but the balance of power be maintained by allocating the posts of president, Prime Minister and chair of Constituent Assembly (CA) to different parties.
CPN (ML) general secretary C.P. Mainali said that Maoists should be allowed to lead the government until the issue of army integration is finalised. nepalnews.com ps Apr 26 08
