KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala today advised the Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ not to rebuke other countries in order to show himself a “nationalist”.

Pointing at Prachanda’s recent remark in London as Nepal, India and China should collectively work for lessening USA’s influence in South Asia, he said, “If he’s a nationalist, then why should he chide other countries? Rather, we should be able to

make our country sovereign

and independent by taking

help from others.”

Koirala also blamed the Maoists for using the politics of consensus and cooperation offered by other parties as a strategy for their benefit.

“I’m stressing on the politics of consensus and cooperation while the UCPN-M is misusing it as a party’s strategy.” He also accused the Maoists of not abiding by the past agreements.

Inaugurating the second general convention of Democratic Professors Association in Kathmandu, he advised the Maoists to learn lessons from Sri Lanka and India. He was referring to the downfall of Tamil Tigers rebels in Sri Lanka even after their nearly three-decade long war following the death of its leader in an offensive some months back and Indian government’s recent move to quell the Maoists through military action terming them “terrorists”.

“Maoist leaders Prachanda and Dr Baburam Bhattarai, during a visit with me earlier, had promised not to obstruct the House over the issue of President’s move,” he said, adding, “But, they didn’t keep their words.” He said the President’s step was taken “for stopping the bloodshed in the country after sacking the Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal.”

He also expressed hope that that the proposed high-level political mechanism would bring the Maoists in the government.