Pyuthan, May 14:

Minister for Information and Communications, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, today accused other members of the eight-party alliance of deferring the constituent assembly elections due to fear of Maoists’ strength.

Addressing a mass meeting held at the district headquarters-based Tundikhel, he said: “The reason why the CA polls are not being held on schedule is the conviction of other parties that the Maoists’ size should first be minimised.”

“Maoists’ size will never go down; it is certain to become stronger. So, it cannot be said whether the CA polls will be held even in October or November,” he said.

Stating that the country has not become a republic despite the desire of the countrymen, he said that the CPN-UML and NC were creating hindrances for declaring Nepal a republic.

He claimed that the agreement reached with the king on April 24, 2006 was a betrayal to the people. Senior Maoist leader Mohan Baidya (Kiran) said that his party would not change as wished by PM Girija Prasad Koirala.