Pokhara, December 6:

CPN-UML standing committee member KP Sharma Oli today blamed the Maoists of trying to exercise absolute power by integrating their fighters into the Nepal Army.

Inaugurating the fifth district conference of the Kaski chapter of Press Chautari Nepal here, he said, “The Maoists are trying to exercise absolute power by integrating their politically indoctrinated fighters into the NA.” Stating that the PLA fighters should be managed as per the CPA, he argued, “They should not be integrated with NA, to keep the latter free from political influences.”

Oli dismissed Home Minister’s statement that PLA can be integrated into the NA as ‘cheap talk’.

Blaming the Maoist leadership of violating the law, he said, “It’s essential that the Maoists mend their ways without any delay,” adding, “They should refrain from killing, abduction, violence and seizing individuals’ property.”

Saying that carving out states on ethnic lines would be impossible, he blamed the Maoists of spreading confusion on the matter. He said people should be granted complete independence and multiparty politics should be adopted for the welfare of the nation.

Oli said that Maoists were losing people’s confidence thanks to their not keeping their word.

The Press Chautari Journalism Award was conferred to journalist Punya Poudel on the occasion.