Kathmandu, August 17:

Maoist MP Bamdev Chhetri today criticised Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala for not being able to call cabinet meeting or an eight-party meeting to bridge the widening gap among the political parties.

He condemned the seven parties, saying, “They blame Maoists but I have serious doubts that they themselves are trying to avoid constituent assembly polls to protect the monarchy.”

“If the constituent assembly polls are to be held in a manner like the municipal elections held in 2005 during the royal regime, then we are against such elections,” he added.

MP Govinda Bikram Shah expressed concern about the deteriorating law and order situation while MP Arjun Joshi of NC criticised the Maoists for their “planned” attacks on media.