RUPANDEHI: CPN-UML standing committee member KP Sharma Oli said today that the step taken by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on the army chief issue was constitutional and necessary.

Inaugurating the district conference of Youth Force in Butwal, Oli said, "Steps taken by Dr Yadav was constitutional and necessary. Otherwise, there would have been bloodshed in the country." Saying that the new government will be formed from the parliament, he said the top priority of the new government should be to maintain law and order. The new government and the police administration should be active in their duties, he said.

Oli also said the common minimum programme for the new government should be finalised after holding discussions with coalition partners. "The task of writing a new constitution and taking the peace process to a logical conclusion will be accomplished within a year," Oli assured.

He also urged the Unified CPN-Maoist to join the new coalition government led by the UML. "The Maoists should be committed to the task of drafting the new constitution and taking the peace process to a logical conclusion even if they don't want to join the government," he said. Oli, however, is optimistic about the UCPN-Maoist joining the government within three months.

The outspoken UML leader also asked the UCPN-M to mend ways with other political parties. "They have to correct themselves or else their downfall will begin. It will be a great contribution to the nation if the Maoists become ready to transform themselves," Oli said.

Accusing the former rebels of trying to establish supremacy of weapons in the name of safeguarding civilian supremacy, Oli said the Maoists would never succeed in their mission. "Since the UCPN-M is now out of the government, it is likely that they will disrupt the statute-drafting process. It will be unfortunate for the nation if the new statute is not formed by May, 2010," he said.