KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi said that the UCPN-Maoist could not lead the next government until and unless their arms and army were managed.

Speaking at an interaction organised by Reporter’s

Club in the capital today, Nidhi ruled out possibility of the Maoists leading the government before their 28 cantonments were closed.

“In the past, the Maoists were the rebel force. But now, as it has joined the mainstream politics, it should not be an armed party anymore to be qualified to take the power.”

Nidhi further added that the Maoists were given the opportunity by the people to lead the government in the past with an expectation that they would mend their ways, which they were yet to demonstrate. “If the Maoists’ weapons are not managed, there is not any meaning of other tasks, including the constitution drafting.”

The NC leader came down heavily on the Maoists and

said that they were declaring the autonomous states with the intention of dissolving the Constituent Assembly (CA). “It’s a severe violation of the Comprehensive Peace Accord and an attempt to make the CA meaningless.”

He also dismissed the

rumours of changing the

President and Prime

Minister saying that it was impossible at present.

Speaking at the same

function, vice-chairman of UCPN-Maoist Narayan

Kaji Shrestha ‘Prakash’ said that his party should be allowed to lead the government as mandated by people.

“As the largest party in the CA, the Maoists deserve

the right to lead the government,” he insisted.

He also said that party

chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s meeting with President Ram Baran Yadav on Thursday was positive.

President Yadav appreciated the Maoists contribution to the changes and expected Maoists’ vital role to solve the existing deadlock, he informed.

Shrestha said that his party was committed to solve the deadlock through dialogue and consensus. “We’re ready to solve the impasse through dialogue but the NC and the UML are not serious,” he added.