Quote Unquote (Spotlight Weekly)

"I did not receive any call from Prachanda. Maybe he called when my mobile phone was switched off."

Girija Prasad Koirala, former Prime Minister and president of Nepali Congress, responding to queries if he had received calls from Maoist leaders.

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"There is no question of political parties joining the government - Maoists peace talks. I suspect they are attempting to make us take part in the talks which would mean endorsing the legitimacy of this government."

Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of the UML, in Kantipur.

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"Maoists are building up their strength and have misled the government by raising new demands. The talks cannot be successful because of Maoists' nature to betray."

Sher Bahadur Deuba, former prime minister and president of Nepali Congress (Democratic), in Himalaya Times.

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"War of words is better than war of guns."

Bamdev Gautam, senior leader of the UML, on the exchange of letters between the government and the Maoists, while speaking at a program organized by the Reporters' Club.

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"I am willing to accommodate all colleagues of business community."

Binod Bahadur Shrestha, newly elected president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), talking to journalists.

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"It is futile to waste time by raising demands like restoration of dissolved House."

Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, former chairman of Raj Parishad, in Jana Bhawana.

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"Unfortunately, caricature is the in thing at present."

Ram Thapa, senior musician, expressing concern at the popularity of copy-cat songs, in Gorkhapatra.

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"After his death no one from the party came to console me. "

Goma Lama, widow of Amar Lama, a UML-turned-Nepali Congress activist, who was murdered last week by unidentified persons, in Himalaya Times.

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