Quote Unquote (Spotlight Weekly)

“Unilateral ceasefire does not mean that the state should become a mute spectator even if the other side launches attacks or engages in arms build-up. What I meant was that the state should show more responsibility towards the people especially when they are facing their greatest festival of Dashain.”

Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), addressing a public meeting.

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"I claim myself as the only leader who can lead the party to the right track after Girija Prasad Koirala's retirement."

Shailaja Acharya, senior leader of Nepali Congress, addressing a press meet organized to announce her candidature for the post of party president in the upcoming general convention.

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"This statement is not an answer to the questions put forth by the Maoists, but an appeal to them to sit for meaningful dialogue with an open mind. Let's not keep debating through media, but sit for dialogue without any prejudice."

Dr. Mohamad Mohsin, Minister for Information and Communication and the spokesperson of the government, addressing the press meet after the cabinet meeting.

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"The Maoists are planning to bypass the other political parties and reach an understanding with the Palace."

Chandra Prakash Mainali, General Secretary of CPN-ML, in Jana Bhawana.

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"How can we teachers go to the villages and make the people aware when political parties have not been able to do that?"

Madhav Prasad Adhikari, president of Nepal Teachers' Union, in Drishti.

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"When the industries are closed down, the foreign investors will go back to their countries, but where can we Nepalese go?"

Pradip Kumar Shrestha, industrialist and former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), in Drishti.

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"The arms and ammunitions of both the Maoists and the Army should be buried in the same pit."

Hari Bansha Acharya, a leading comedian, in Deshantar.

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"There is a need of guarantor (for the talks), not the mediator."

Sudip Pathak, President of Human Rights Organization of Nepal (HURON), in Jana Astha.

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"Private schools have not only been target of revolutions, but they have also been an easy source of donations."

Umesh Shrestha, president of Private and Boarding Schools Organization of Nepal (PABSON), in Jana Bhawana.

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