Statute sans army integration meaningless: Deuba

BIRGUNJ, March 17: Former prime minister and senior leader of the Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday said it would be meaningless to promulgate a new constitution without first completing the task of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants and management of their arms.



Deuba, who was at Simara Airport in Bara after addressing a function organized by NC cadres in Malangawa of Sarlahi, said, "The new constitution is possible within the stipulated time frame if the Maoists want so."



Deuba argued that if the integration of combatants and management of arms are completed by mid-April, the new constitution can be promulgated on time even by working round the clock.



"But the promulgation of constitution will have no meaning leaving behind the tasks of integration and arms management," Deuba said. He also claimed that the promulgation of constitution solely depends on the Maoists.



He also made it clear that the NC is not in favor of changing of guards at Singha Durbar. He added that the current government will promulgate the new constitution.



Deuba said the preparation for introducing a ´no-confidence motion´ against the government by the Maoists is just a rumor. "There is no unanimity within the Maoist party about the issue," Deuba said, adding, "Some of the Maoist leaders want to table the motion while others are against it."



Deuba also urged the Maoists not to indulge in the game for changing the government and rather focus on constitution making.

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Statute sans army integration meaningless:Deuba