Hetauda, March 17:

Parliamentary political parties are trapped in a Maoist-hatched conspiracy, Home Minister Kamal Thapa said today, inaugurating the 16th District Council of the Makwanpur District Development Committee.

“Nepalis are not taking the talks being held between the Maoists and the political parties in Delhi for the past two weeks positively,” Thapa said. “The government has no qualms over who takes initiatives for the restoration of peace in the country, provided there is no foreign interference,” Thapa said: “Why should any talks be held in a foreign land?” “The political parties’ intention of capturing the regime by demonstrating on the streets and conspiring with the rebels will not be realised as long as I am the Home Minister,” Thapa said.

Stating that the government was making efforts to conduct parliamentary elections within the next year, Thapa said: “Elections cannot be conducted forcefully.” Thapa also accused the parties of hindering the government’s attempt to defeat terrorism.

Chairman of the Makwanpur DDC, Govinda Khadka, presented an estimated budget of Rs 800 million for the district for the fiscal year 2006/2007.