NC to hount Khanal out

KATHMANDU, May 21: In a massive show of strength, Nepali Congress (NC) on Friday held a rally in Kathmandu and reiterated that fulfillment of its 10-point demand by the UCPN (Maoist) and resignation of Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal are must for any extension of the Constituent Assembly´s term.

Tens of thousands of party cadres from various districts of Bagmati zone gathered at Tundikhel as top leaders of the main opposition party called for scrapping of the controversial seven-point deal reached between Prime Minister Khanal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and demanded that the UCPN (Maoist) take concrete steps to sever its ties to arms and combatants within five days. [break]

Reiterating that NC would not support any extension of the CA´s term in status quo, NC leaders also warned of serious consequences if the current coalition of Maoists and UML chose to extend the term of CA on the basis of two-thirds majority in parliament. They maintained that peace and democratic constitution are not possible as long as Khanal-led government "formed on the basis of clandestine seven-point deal" remains in power.

Addressing the rally, NC President Sushil Koirala said that the elimination of Maoists is inevitable if the Maoists try to impose totalitarianism in the country. He asked the Maoists to take bigger responsibility to conclude the peace process and promulgate new constitution by virtue of being the largest party in parliament.

While asking the Maoists not to take NC´s efforts at forging consensus on various contentious issues as weakness, Koirala stressed that all parties must reach an agreement on peace process and constitution drafting within a week. “The country would slide toward unimaginable disaster if there is no consensus among parties,” he said.

NC senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba said a government based on national consensus is a must to deliver peace and new constitution. “Nepali Congress won´t support extension of CA´s term unless the Maoist create credible grounds to conclude the peace process and constitution drafting. Jhalanath and the Maoists should take responsibility for the consequences that might arise after May 28,” he said.

NC Vice President and Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Paudel demanded scrapping of the controversial seven-point deal reached hours before the formation of Khanal-led government and fulfillment of NC´s 10-point demand. “NC won´t support any extension of the CA´s term unless our concerns are addressed. New constitution is not possible without NC´s support,” he said.

NC general secretary duo Krishna Sitaula and Prakash Man Singh said the relevance of Khanal-led government that was formed with the slogan of national consensus was over as it failed to forge consensus with other parties.

NC central level leaders including treasurer Chitralekha Yadav, Gopal Man Shrestha, Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, Bimalendra Nidhi, Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Narahari Acharya, Sujata Koirala, Manmohan Bhattarai, Gagan Thapa and Nabindra Raj Joshi addressed the meeting.

With the mass rally in Kathmandu, NC has concluded its national awareness campaign for peace and new constitution. NC held central level rallies in various seven places including in Kathmandu and district-level rallies in 42 districts as a part of the awareness campaign.