“The cabinet has refuted the defense minister´s views as official,” Law and Justice Minister, Prem Bahadur Singh, told myrepublica.com after the meeting. “Her views do not in any way represent the government´s official position on the issue.” [break]
Stating that everyone should follow the spirit of the constitution, Singh said that the decision taken by the special committee chaired by the prime minister will be the final on integration, rehabilitation and management of the combatants as per the provision of the Interim Constitution. “The government must abide by the constitution and it cannot take any decision against it,” Singh maintained.
Bhandari, however, was absent from the cabinet meeting. She was instead attending a thanksgiving function at a hotel in the capital organized by the Madan Bhandari Sports Academy of which she is the chairperson.
Bhandari on Tuesday had said that bulk integration of the PLA combatants will not be acceptable even if the Special Committee headed by the prime minister so recommended.
Meanwhile, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal linked Bhandari´s statement with that of Indian army chief Deepak Kapoor, whose alleged statement against the integration of the Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army infuriated the Maoists. Kapoor is currently in Nepal.
Speaking at a function in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Dahal also called on the Nepal Army not to form its views on the basis of what Bhandari said.
Maoist vice-chairman Mohan Baidya said the defense minister doesn´t have the right to remain in the government after making such statements.
"What is the significance of the special committee if the government minister doesn´t abide by its decision?"
Meanwhile, issuing a statement, Maoists has asked why the government hasn´t sacked the defense minister who makes such controversial statements time and again.
Maoists not to attend Special Committee meeting
Special committee member from the UCPN (Maoist) Janardan Sharma said his party would boycott the committee meeting unless Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal clarifies the remarks made by the defense minister on management of Maoist combatants.
“We will not attend Thursday´s meeting,” Sharma said, adding, “What she said was against the interim constitution and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.”
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