KATHMANDU: UCPN-Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma on Wednesday predicted that the UML-led government would be short-lived.

Speaking at an interaction programme, Sharma pointed at the dispute among coalition partners over ministerial berths as an indicator of the government’s short life.

Sharma alleged that some forces were hatching conspiracy to push the Maoists to war. He, however, did not specify who were doing that. The Maoist spokesperson said his party would launch a nationwide protest to establish civilian supremacy in the nation.

He heavily came down on defence minister Bidhya Bhandari’s remarks that the Maoist combatants would not be integrated but managed.

Dr Prakash Saran Mahat, central committee member, Nepali Congress, claimed that there was no dispute in his party as to who would lead the party in the government. He further said, “All the leaders are capable. Party agenda is important than the leader.”

Rabindra Adhikari, central committee member, CPN-UML, was of the view that the present

government would write the constitution and also hold the general election later. He hinted at the possibility of new faces in the new cabinet.

Laxman Lal Karna, co-chairperson, Sadbhavana Party, clarified that his party would not join the government unless they were given two ministries. He said the PM had offered them one ministry, which was unacceptable.

Karna said they would continue to support the government from the outside if they did not get the asked number of ministries.

Jitendra Sonal, leader, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, said his party was yet to decide whether or not

to join the UML-led government.

Ananta heaps scorn on Bhandari

KATHMANDU: Unified CPN-Maoist leader Barsha Man Pun ‘Ananta’ on Wednesday said the previous government had begun work to do up the army integration by mid-July. Addressing an interaction organised here, Pun accused defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari of trying to derail the peace process. He also claimed that current government would not complete the army integration and statute drafting on time. The Maoist leader said Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ would continue as the coordinator of the Army Integration Special Committee. CA member Khim Lal Devkota said nobody could stop the integration as it had been mentioned in the interim constitution. — HNS