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| Kathmandu, Sunday October 20, 2002 Kartik 03, 2059. |
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Chand
firm for polls but gives no date
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Oct 19:Prime
Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has promised both general and local elections, but has
significantly not mentioned any schedules for both.
Responding to
journalists, at a press conference organised by the Reporters’ Club today, PM Chand
promised that polls would be conducted soon but was not specific about any dates for the
announcement of the same. He was also non-committal with regard to peace talks with the
Maoists, merely stating that "the doors for talks were open" in response to a
question on his government’s strategy vis-à-vis the insurgency.
In his first meeting
with the media, after taking over as Prime Minister last Friday, Chand said, "Doors
are open and initial response has been good". He also said that a policy outlining
the modality of talks with the Maoists was on the anvil, emphasising that the government
was committed to a conclusive solution if the dialogue takes place.
The PM declined to
disclose details of any agenda, which the government may have drawn up, as part of its
preparedness for a dialogue with the Maoists, if they are held. When asked whether the
government would demand a laying down of arms by the rebels before any talks, Chand
brushed aside the question.
Chand also declined to
make any comment on the decision of the outgoing government’s having branded the
Maoists as "terrorists." He, however, suggested that the label might be removed
saying, "no person who is a terrorist today can be expected to remain so
forever."
Denying claims that
other political parties had declined to join the government, Chand said, "I am sure
they will join in due course of time. Issues are being sorted out". Reports indicate
that any ‘co-operation’ from political parties is dependant on the announcement
by the Chand government of poll dates and holding of talks with the Maoists as a
pre-condition.
Reacting to a query on
the legitimacy of his government, Chand said, "The government is an ad-hoc
arrangement and very much in relevance with the constitutional clauses." However,
Chand also claimed that it was he who had suggested the names for the present cabinet,
adding that any expansion of the present Council of Ministers is possible only with his
say so.
Stressing on the need
to remove corruption to clear the deck for good governance, Chand emphasised that his
government would ‘co-operate’ with the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of
Authority (CIAA).
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