Dhangadhi/Biratnagar, Dec 9 :

Former PM and Nepali Congress (Democratic) president, Sher Bahadur Deuba, today accused the NC of not showing keen interest in the unification of two congress parties - NC and NC-D.

Addressing a press meet here this morning, Deuba said: “I formed a three-member committee (with Prakash Man Singh, Prakash Sharan Mahat and Minendra Rijal as members) for the unification of two congresses, but NC president Girija Prasad Koirala has not responded to it.”

“If Girija Babu (Koirala) had responded, he would have formed a committee for congress unification,” Deuba said, adding: “I will seek Girija Babu’s decision about the unification immediately after the announcement of date for constituent assembly elections.”

Saying that the interim government will be formed within Mangsir (till mid-December), he said: “I will accent Koirala’s leadership in the interim government, too.”

Responding a journalist’s query, he said: “I will not claim the post of party president until Girija Prasad is alive.” Deuba said the concept of a federal system was good for the development of the far- western region. “Federal system and federal state should be free from racial discrimination,” he said.

He said that the Maoists have not given up their violent activities except murder. “We have to create fearless situation for constituent assembly polls,” Deuba said.

Meanwhile, vice-president of the Nepali Congress (NC) Sushil Koirala said today that the unification of the NC and the Nepali Congress (Democratic) will take place in “near future”.

Speaking at a press meet organised by the Morang chapter of the Nepal Press Union in Biratnagar, Koirala said, “The NC will announce its policy to go for constituent assembly elections only after the unification.” Asked if the ideologies of both parties will match, Koirala said, “The NC made its stance on monarchy clear in its 11th general convention. We don’t have any problem in deciding the fate of monarchy. We are now awaiting people’s opinion and aspirations.”

About CPN-UML’s proposal of forging a joint front of eight parties before going for constituent assembly elections, Koirala said, “We won’t join any forum. The NC has its own status.” Accusing other parties of putting blames on NC only, he said, “Though we have an all-party government in place, only the NC draws flak if something goes wrong. Other parties in the government should not shy away from taking responsibility for their mistakes.”

Koirala said, “The Maoists have given up arms, but they are continuing other atrocities.” He urged the Maoists to put an end to abductions and extortion.