Talking to mediapersons Friday upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu after nearly a month-long visit to the US, Europe and India, Koirala said the prime minister should have already tendered his resignation as per the five-point deal to pave the way for forming a consensus-based government. [break]
"Who would lead the new government after Khanal´s resignation is not an issue now," he argued, adding, "I am unable to understand why is he feeling it difficult to resign."
Koirala´s demand for Khanal´s resignation comes at a time when party leaders close to Sher Bahadur Deuba have been criticizing the party establishment for remaining silent on the issue of the prime minister´s resignation.
It may be recalled that Prime Minister Khanal has publicly said on various occasions that he would step down only if NC President Koirala and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal demanded his resignation.
Koirala refuted having reached any agreement with Deuba to change parliamentary party leader.
Koirala also said that he would contest for the post of party president for the second term if he failed to ´institutionalize systems within the party´ during the current term.
Koirala had left for the US on June 19 for follow-up checkup.
Koirala said that he had an opportunity hold meeting with senior leaders in the US, the UK and India and renew friendship with them. "All of them expressed concern about peace, stability and democracy in Nepal," he said.
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