KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) on Wednesday said that the recently leaked video speech of Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ laid bare the party’s strategy of seizing state power and imposing autocratic system in the country. The Maoists’ decision to sack Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal is a part of their plot, the NC accused.

In a press conference at NC party office in Sanepa, it called on all parties, civil society and people to support it in its bid to foil the Maoist’s design. “Prachanda’s video speech has exposed that its rhetoric are nothing but a conspiracy to undermine democracy,” said NC central member, Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat. He also accused the Maoists of trying to take Nepali Army under their control by sacking Katawal.

NC also condemned the Maoists’ act of intimidating NC and CPN-UML cadres in Ramechhap to leave the district yesterday.

Speaking at another programme at the Reporters’ Club, Mahat accused United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) of failing to fulfil its responsibilities. “UNMIN failed to detect phony Maoist combatants who infiltrated in the camps during the verification process,” he said. Influential Maoist leader Barsa Man Pun said that his party was fully committed to the peace process. He said, “Our country is at a critical juncture so we should move ahead on the basis of consensus. However, the process of constitution writing can not start unless the President rectifies his unconstitutional move.

Commenting on reports about Maoist’s attack on NC and CPN-UML cadres, Pun said, “Since such activities are against the party’s policy, we will take action against cadres for their undesirable activities. As far as the incident in Ramechhap is concerned, I have sought clarification from the Agni Prasad Sapkota, party in-charge of eastern command.”

Bidahya Bhandari, vice president of CPN-UML, lauded the President’s move to save the nation. She informed, party president Jhala Nath Khanal, senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Oli were the UML candidates likely to run for the post of PM. Ganesh Shah, Minister for environment, science and technology said that the second largest party Nepali Congress should lead the new government.