MJF should be allowed to lead next govt: Gachhedar
Smug with what many call their major "political victory"
in the behind the scene horse-trading that went on during
the presidential run-off, the ambition of Madheshi
Janadhikar Forum (MJF) seems to soar to new heights with
each passing day.
The party's parliamentary leader Bijaya Kumar Gachhedar
raised eyebrows Tuesday by saying at a programme in the
capital that MJF should be allowed to lead the next
government if CPN (Maoist) opts to stay away from it.
"While signing the 4-point agreement for the presidential
post the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML had verbally agreed
to give MJF the leadership of the next government,"
Gachhedar said, and at the same time warned of serious
consequences if the agreement is violated.
The senior MJF leader, who deserted NC in the run up to
the Constituent Assembly election to champion regional
politics, re-asserted that only Maoists and MJF have got
the "people's mandate" to lead the next government.
Gachhedar, who was speaking at a programme organised by
Reporters Club in the capital when reports were saying
that the CPN (Maoist) has decided they would now stay away
from the process of forming new government, however
acknowledged that Maoists should be the first choice to
the lead the next government.
He, however, said that if the Maoists still decide not to
form the next government, which he said would be a wrong
decision, then MJF should be given the responsibility of
leading it. He was of the opinion that NC and UML have
suffered a "moral defeat" during the CA election and thus
have lost their claim to lead the next government.
"There have been many betrayals in the past, and I hope it
won't be repeated. Only after the agreement is duly
respected things would be as per the wishes of the people
and the country," he said.
When asked who would become the prime minister if MJF ends
up leading the government, Gachhedar said, "We haven't
decided un the person yet but if NC and UML abides by
their agreement then we would immediately select an able
candidate for the post of prime minister. nepalnews.com ag July 22 08
