At a press meet at his private residence in Sanepa held after leaving Baluwatar Thursday, Bhattarai also said the political parties have all the power in constitutional and practical terms.[break]
The main task of the CJ-led government is to hold fresh Constituent Assembly (CA) elections in the country within the deadline and no one should see it as transfer of power away from political parties, he said.
Bhattarai, who is also the UCPN (Maoist) vice-chairman, said that he could not hold election due to non-cooperation by the political parties and the president. But now I am hopeful that the new CA elections will be held on scheduled date of June 28 as the major parties have come up with common understanding for ending the deadlock.
Bhattarai speaks to media at his residence in Sanepa. (Photo: Bijay Gajmer)
But in case the CJ-led government fails to hold the election under the deadline, high level political committee, which is to formed soon, will recommend the government to fix another election date. He also cautioned that failure to hold CA election will put the country in further difficulty.
Three months period is sufficient for holding elections despite complications in citizenship card distribution and voters registration, he said.
The former prime minister placed full blame on the opposition parties for the several hurdles that his government faced during its 18 months and 18 days tenure. "During my stint in government, I learnt that it is difficult to overcome all the problems by oneself. But history will judge my performance," he said.
He said his government was able to conclude the entire peace process, bring reform in governance and develop hydropower and tourism among other sectors.
He, however, dismissed the allegation that the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) signed with India was a blunder. "BIPPA was not a mistake. As we know it well, the country needs more foreign investments," he said.
On the protests announced by 22 small parties led by the CPN-Maoist, Bhattarai said they are just playing the role of the opposition. "They are doing what the opposition should do. But they should participate in the elections."
Bhattarai had reached his residence at Sanepa directly from the Sheetal Niwas after participating the oath taking ceremony for the new election government. According to his aide, Bhattarai early on Friday morning thanked all the staff and security personnel deployed at Baluwatar and participated in a photo-op.
Bhattarai who drew media attention by entering Baluwatar on a Nepal-made "Mustang Max" jeep exited by a Scorpio jeep.
After reaching his residence, he tweeted, "Now I am a free citizen. Thank you everybody who have stood with me during the last 18 months &18 days."
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