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| Kathmandu, Sunday April 13, 2003 Chaitra 30, 2059. |
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Attend all-party meet or risk non-inclusion
in talks: PM warns parties
Post Report
TEHRATHUM, April 12 : Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand
today issued a veiled threat to the political parties that they would not be included in
the peace process with Maoists if they don’t participate in the all-party meeting
tomorrow. Main political parties including the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have already
announced their decision to boycott the meeting for the third time. But PM Chand’s
warning, according to party sources, is unlikely to change their stance.
Chand, however, said the government was keen to hand over
power to the elected government once the peace process is over and elections conducted. He
was in the town in connection with distribution of pro tem homestead ownership
certificates to all those who were affected by raging fire three months ago.
"People who were the epitome of corruption while in
power are now crying foul claiming the nation is going towards regression," Prime
Minister Chand said.
He also claimed that the government has achieved a lot by
initiating action against all those found to have indulged in corruption while the rebels
too have been brought to the talking table. He also said that the government was trying to
thrash up an all party consensus before holding talks with the rebels.
Meanwhile, speaking at the inauguration of Bagdole Community
Complex in the capital today, Physical Planning Minister Narayan Singh Pun, the government
co-ordinator for peace talks with Maoists said here that he was ready to leave his
position "if there was a better alternative".
Pun, who is also Minister for Physical Planning and Works
said, "I did not effect the cease-fire in order to earn money and fame." The
minister’s comments come in the wake of reports in some section of the media that he
had made up his mind to quit both his posts. Pun is the only one from the government side
for the talks, whereas the Maoists have named a five-member negotiating team under Dr
Baburam Bhattarai.
Commenting on the price rise of petroleum products, PM Chand
said that the same was effected due to compulsion and not due to any other interests. He
also flayed political parties for inciting students against the price rise.
"They ought to have thought of thrashing up a
comprehensive solution to the crisis faced by the nation rather than telling students to
take to the streets," he said, adding that the political parties would do well to
attend the all party meeting called for Sunday.
Earlier, students had waved black flags protesting the death
of Devi Lal Paudel, a student in Butwal, who was killed in police firing, on Tuesday. They
also protested the rise in the prices petroleum products. Although police had arrested 16
protesters, they were set free after the departure of Prime Minister Chand.
Meanwhile, PM Chand has termed the dismissal of three
ministers as forced by forces of circumstances. He did not elaborate while talking with
reporters in Biratnagar. Fielding reporters’ questions, he said Dharma Bahadur Thapa,
Devi Prasad Ojha and Mahesh Lal Pradhan, who were home, education and commerce and
supplies ministers respectively were relieved as part of a regular reshuffle. "They
were honest but could not be retained owing to special circumstances," Prime Minister
Chand said.
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