Himalayan News Service

Lahan, May 6:

President of the Nepali Congress (NC) and former prime minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, has said that delay on the part of the parties in launching a joint movement for the restoration of democracy was unfortunate.

Inaugurating the NC district office building in Siraha amidst a ceremony today, he said the existence of differences within the Nepali Congress was shameful.

“The Nepali Congress, which should have led the democratic movement, is engulfed in wranglings between its members,” he said, adding: “I do not wish to listen to complaints against anybody.”

He said the impending joint movement will raise the issues of political, economic, social and state structure simultaneously.

If the Maoists agree to hold talks with the parties, the parties will agree to go for elections to the constituent assembly, he said, adding: “More than the parties, the government should come up with a clear stance on the Maoists.”

“Even though the parties have agreed to launch an agitation on the basis of a common agenda and the international community has also pledged support for the movement, the delay in launching the movement is unfortunate,” he said.

“After the agitation, the youngsters will not have to wait for democracy till they become as old as myself,” he said.

He said political prisoners in Saptari jail had told him that they were mistreated.Emergency was lifted in paper to impress the foreigners, he said.