BIRATNAGAR: CPN-UML senior leader and chairman of the constitutional committee Madhav Kumar Nepal on Thursday said his party was yet to take a stance on the issue of Prime Minister’s Office seeking clarification from the Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal on recruitment row.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Morang chapter of Press Chautari Nepal here, Nepal said, “All the statements by the CPN-UML leaders in connection to the army row are their personal views.”

“The central committee meeting of the party likely to be held tomorrow will make public party’s official view regarding the issue,” he said, adding, “The army row will be settled within a week.”

Nepal claimed Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal himself was confused whether the Maoist-led government is the government of the civilians.

He said the army should not be dragged into a controversy at a time when the process of the integration of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is going on.

He said the UCPNM was yet to scrap the paramilitary structure of the Young Communist League,as promised by the PM.

He added that the Maoists had failed to take other parties into confidence. “The present situation could have been averted had the Maoists taken suggestions from the other parties.”

Addressing a press meet at Itahari, Nepal said the government should consult the major parties while taking decisions on complex issues.

He said the NA and government should join hands for the sake of the peace process.

All parties should pressure the Maoists to mend their ways, he added.

He said he would take the initiative to form a national government with the involvement of all parties if the Nepali Congress showed interest.