Kathmandu, May 13:

Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel, who is also the vice-president of the Nepali Congress, today accused CPN-Maoist of adopting the path of neo-fascism.

Addressing an interaction here, Poudel said intolerant activities and extreme utilitarian attitude of the Maoists had given the NC an impression that they might adopt a dictatorial path.

“NC central committee’s decisions reflect this worry,” Poudel said adding that the Maoists charted extremely utilitarian course by using blatant words against Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala who they had once praised as the most towering personality in the Nepali political front.

“Once they had all the good words for Koirala, but now they are humiliating him and knocking the doors of Kamal Thapa. We cannot keep mum against this tendency,” Poudel said.

Requesting the Maoists to decently pursue the basis of consensus and confidence-building measures, Poudel said the Nepali Congress had no desire to bargain for power.

“We do not against the Maoists leading the next government, as they are the single largest party, but they have to ensure that they will adhere to democratic norms and will not resort to intimidation,” he said, adding that in the present situation those that can forge consensus can have the authority to lead the government and Maoists need to put forth the basis of consensus.

“They have not done so, and we came up with the conditions for consensus,” Poudel added.

He said the issue of Maoist army’s integration with Nepal Army should be resolved in a way that won’t set a bad example, as there are other groups as well that have armies and might claim integration with Nepal Army.

Responding to a question, Minister Poudel said the Maoists needed to meet the conditions set by the NC yesterday to help build confidence for consensus politics.