Coup a drunkard's gossip: Maoist leader

KATHMANDU, May 1: Rumor about Nepal Army staging a coup in the country was just a drunkard´s gossip, a politburo member of the ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) said on Friday.



"Drunkards have spread the rumor," said Ram Karki aka Partha Chhetri, against his party leaders´ consistent claims that Nepal Army chief General Rookmangud Katawal was planning a coup against the government.



Addressing a laborers´ rally in Biratnagar, Karki, however, said his party was resolute on taking action against Katawal. During his speech delivered in mixture of Nepali and Maithili language, he criticized the main opposition Nepali Congress for creating obstacles in the process of the action.



"When we are trying to take action against Katawal for his defiance to government orders, Nepali Congress is making hue and cry on the issue," he said. "Nepali Congress still has an illusion that it is still in power."



Karki claimed that the Nepali Congress did not have the guts to take to the streets against the government move to sack Katawal.



"We need to democratize (janatantrikaran) the force that took oath to protect kings, royal family and the crown in the past," he said. "The Nepal Army soldiers must know that they are not the only force who know how to use guns."

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