KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress vice president and Parliamentary Party (PP) leader Ram Chandra Paudel on Monday said the Unified CPN-Maoist was agitating against the government after it failed to stage a coup by capturing the national army.

“Maoist chairman Prachanda wanted to capture the Nepali Army (NA) by removing then Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal, but the President foiled the bid,” he said, addressing the inaugural session of the PP’s information centre in Singha Durbar. “CoAS Katawal and Kul Bahadur Khadka, NA second in command, were called at the PM’s residence in Baluwatar at the same time and were talked to separately. The President, safeguarding the Interim Constitution, stepped in to foil the decision Prachanda made without recommending it to the former.” he added.

“It’s a mockery of ‘civilian supremacy’ that the Maoists, who violated the constitution, are protesting against the President’s step, which saved the country a big accident. President Yadav, as a patron of the constitution, took the step on the recommendation of 18 parties,” Paudel added.

“The Maoists are resorting to vandalism after failing to forcefully capture the power,” he alleged. “How can the party, which has created insecurity in the country, can protect civilian supremacy?” he questioned. He added the NC was not truly perceived in many cases due to its failure to disseminate information effectively. “We will fight the antagonist forces with our ideology in the days to come.”

The NC leader said the information centre would work as a link between the party and the parliamentary office.

Acting president Sushil Koirala said the centre would help take organisational decision regarding party leaders. NC deputy leader Prakash Man Singh said his party would defend the Maoist domination of the constitution writing process.

PP spokesperson Nabindra Raj Joshi said the centre would publish monthly bulletins in Nepali and English languages. The centre will display the statements of NC lawmakers at the House and other relevant documents and audio materials in its website — www.ncparliament.org. Individuals will be able send email to the PP and NC lawmakers to get their agenda heard through the site.