Parties alone cannot make key decisions: Katawal

BIRGUNJ, Nov 30: Former chief of Nepal Army Rookmangud Katawal on Tuesday said political parties alone cannot make decisions on key issues of the country and people´s opinion is a must. He was talking to journalists in Birgunj.



"There is no compulsion that everyone has to accept the decisions taken by the three leaders inside closed doors. People´s opinion is essential for taking decisions on crucial issues."[break]



Katawal termed the major political parties as "useful idiots". "The UCPN Maoist has long been ´using´ parties through sweet talk," he said, adding, "Parties however, are still not aware of Maoist´s strategy."



He said that all parties one after another are falling into the trap set by Maoists. He also ruled out the possibility of alliance between Maoists and monarchy supporters. "Nowhere in the world have communists and royalists collaborated. The Maoist offer for alliance is just a ploy."



Katawal also said the Maoist ideology failed worldwide.



He opined that participation of Maoist combatants in party plenum was against the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).



Katawal said no one becomes nationalists just by criticizing others. He also criticized the Maoists for hurling shoe at Indian ambassador and said, "Disputes should be resolved through diplomatic channel."



On UNMIN, he said the UN mission has been dragged into controversy since its inception.

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