"The president attempted coups four times after May 27," said Bhattarai, giving details of how he foiled those attempts. [break]
According to him, the first time the president had tried a coup was the day after the CA dissolution, terming the government unconstitutional. Bhattarai said he foiled the coup bid by announcing the date of the election before dissolving the CA.
Similarly, he said that the president tried a coup on July 22 when he rejected the election ordinance.
The third time Yadav attempted a coup was in the third week of October when he consulted with army chief Gaurav Shamsher Rana.
"But, the army rejected his plan," added Bhattarai. The final attempt was on November 22. According to him, the president attempted a coup, stating that the government could not hold elections.
"Yada attempted a coup like former King Gyanendra, saying the government could not hold elections. But I foiled his plan by announcing the date of the next election," said Bhattarai.
He also said that the country could not get a new constitution without a president and speaker from the Maoist side. He claimed that a new constitution would be drafted if there is a speaker from the Maoist side.
According to him, if the speaker was from his party, they can hold a meeting of the house and the constitution would be drafted in accordance with a majority.
"We made a mistake in not taking the posts of president and speaker," added Bhattarai. In the election, the Maoists had lost the post of president and they had given their vote to the UML for the post of speaker.
"UML leaders told me that Madhav Kumar Nepal instructed Speaker Subas Nembang not to chair the CA meeting on the last day, saying there would be bloodshed," added Bhattarai.
Similarly, he said that the government could not function due to the president, as he did not endorse the ordinances.
NC, UML against election
Reference to the demand of the NC and UML for dismissal of political appointments made by his government, he said they are against elections.
"We are ready for elections but another force is not ready, seeing that they will loose," said Bhattarai, indicating the NC and UML.
Indirectly criticizing the Khila Raj Regmi government, he termed it the most ´status quoist.´
"The courts and the bureaucracy are the most status quoist," added Bhattarai.
He also asked Regmi who forced him not to announce the date of the election.
"Who stopped him from announcing the date of the election although he had told me that he was going to announce a date within 2/4 days?" said Bhattarai.
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