Kathmandu, March 10:

Home Minister Kamal Thapa today claimed that the continued unity between the seven-party alliance and the rebels could lead to a greater demand for a republican order. He also said the current series of dialogue in foreign soil could be unfortunate.

“They (alliance leaders) should have picked up opportunity to talk with the government rather than frolicking their way to a foreign country. It certainly is ostentatious to watch,” Thapa said while addressing a camp of party workers in the capital.

He added that the 12-point understanding certainly indicates at the entanglement of democratic forces with those on the ultra Left. “We want a dialogue between the parties and the king. This could throw up a solution if they want,” Thapa further said.

Thapa questioned the changed stance of the alliance which he said was against the election to constituent assembly only a year ago. “While they (alliance) want to activate constitution on the strength of the rebels, they should take note of the fact that the rebels are those who will launch a dictatorship once they get a chance.”

Similar views had come from Padma Sundar Lawoti, vice-chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Thapa). Coming down heavily on the alliance and the rebels, Lawoti alleged that they were “trying to destabilise Nepal on the strength of the foreign power.”

Flaying the Foreign Minister for failing to react adequately in response to what certain countries were trying to do for the discomfiture of Nepal, Lawoti said “foreigners are speaking too much.” He also alleged that the alliance is being controlled by the rebels.

Saying that the next target of the party should be to secure a majority in parliamentary elections next year, Lawoti said that the government should activate the Commission for the Investigation of the Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to crack down on the corrupt and also form a commission for the benefit of the landless people. “Had we formed such a commission before the civic polls, we would not have faced a crunch for candidates to contest the elections.”

Thapa categorically said that “the political parties should not indulge in daydreaming to gain power by launching agitation with the rebels.”

Envoy mum on Thapa’s remarks

KATHMANDU: Home minister and chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Thapa), Kamal Thapa, today expressed the hope that his remarks on explosives might have “drawn India’s attention.” Thapa on Wednesday had pointed his finger at India as the source of explosives that was used in the Ilam attack. Thapa said that the government would not shy away from dialogue if the Maoists shunned violence. He also labelled the talks between the seven-part leaders and the Maoists as “contrite omen”. “This would not yield positive results,” he said at the tea reception of the Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP). Indian envoy Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, however, declined to comment on Thapa’s remarks on explosives. — HNS