Kathmandu, October 29:

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala should lead the country at a time like this as a responsible leader and work towards making the ongoing peace process a success, UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari said today. “Otherwise, the country is sure to be doomed,” he said.

He was addressing a programme organised by the Forum for Intellectual Debate in the capital. “Leader of Girija Babu’s stature should lead us all. He has a great responsibility in hand,” Adhikari said.

On Koirala’s comment against referendum, he said people have the right to decide the fate of monarchy.

He also stressed the need for the government and the Maoists to announce a comprehensive ceasefire accord. Maoist leader Prachanda should announce that the Maoists will no longer collect donations from the people and that their weapons will be kept under lock and key. “Prachanda should publicly declare that those who take up arms are not Maoists so that the government can take action against them,” he said.

He said that political issues and the issue of arms management should be addressed side by side.

Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala urged the Maoists to immediately end their terrorist activities. The Maoists should end their terrorist activities, or else they will be the losers and the country will be in deep trouble, she added. The Nepali Army’s weapons cannot be locked since they are for the country, she said.

“According to what I have seen, the country is heading towards ceremonial monarchy. I cannot lie,” she said adding that the issue of monarchy should be resolved through a Constituent Assembly instead of a referendum.