Biratnagar, December 1:

Maoist chairman Prachanda today laid emphasis on a political agreement and reshuffling of the council of ministers.

Prachanda, who arrived here to attend a two-day training programme for active cadres of Kochila Rajya Samiti, said this while talking to journalists at Biratnagar airport. “The political confusion is nearing its end as things are going ahead positively. The deadlock may come to an end by Monday,” he said.

“A political agreement should be made and the Cabinet should be reshuffled, but discussions will help in reaching a conclusion,” he said.

“The need of the hour is not to change the Prime Minister (PM), but to reach an agreement for peace. However, we may have to push for changing the PM if we fail to reach an agreement,” he said.

“Republic and fully proportional representation system in the election to constituent assembly are the major political agenda now,” he said.

The issue of republic had been issued earlier as well and the seven political parties are holding discussions to settle the dispute over fully proportional representation system in the CA through a roundtable conference, he said.

“The proposal of a roundtable conference has been forwarded as it would ensure representation of all ethnic groups, castes and communities,” he said.

“We have to move ahead with new developments and if there is no political agreement, the Cabinet will be reshuffled in a week,” he said.

Prachanda also said republic would be announced within two or three days. He added that the NC also had agreed to the declaration of a republic.

Prachanda stressed on the merger of the People’s Liberation Army with the Nepal Army, formation of a new council of ministers, declaration of a republic and special assistance to the families of those slain, injured and missing because of the conflict.

He also said that a round table meet of Madhesis, Janajatis, Dalits and women leaders should be held to discuss fully proportional constituent assembly polls now that consensus had already evolved on a republic.

He added that Rs 1 lakh each should be provided immediately to the families of the slain. After inaugurating the pro-Maoist Kochila Rajya Parishad training camp, he returned to Kathmandu later in the evening.

Maoist call to Nepal Army:

Chitwan: CPN-Maoist central member and deputy commander of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army, Prabhakar, today urged the Nepal Army to become the “new army” of the country.

Speaking at the Shaktikhor cantonment of the PLA’s third division in Chitwan district during the conclusion of the People’s Liberation Army’s seventh anniversary, Prabhakar said the PLA was now an integral part of the state mechanism and added that it had played a vital role in transforming the politics of the country for once and for ever.

Speaking on the occasion, Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara, praised the PLA soldiers for displaying their skills and abilities during the weeklong sports and games competitions held as part of the anniversary celebrations.

He also said the contributions of the PLA to the cause of positive politics and democracy in Nepal would not be forgotten.

This was the first time that the PLA organised its anniversary celebrations

openly. Maoist chairman and PLA supreme commander Prachanda inaugurated the celebrations a week

ago. — HNS