Janakpurdham, November 26:

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, KP Sharma Oli, today said that the concept of a federal governing structure was not included in the interim constitution due to the Maoists.

Speaking to journalists here, Oli said the Maoists gave up their stance on a republic, the election method and a federal governing system in the Comprehensive National Peace Treaty.

Stating that the treaty and agreements between the government and the Maoists were only the bases, Oli said acts like collection of suggestions and drawing a conclusion on a federal structure are far from complete. “Since the treaty was not signed on the previously fixed date, issues related to the army, management of weapons, formation of an interim parliament and promulgating an interim constitution were delayed,” said Oli.

“The Maoists should realise that they have no alternative but to implement the treaty honestly,” he added. Oli said, “No question was raised on the issue of who would lead the interim government. This matter was not discussed.”