Banke, February 28:

Acting president of Nepali Congress Shushil Koirala said today the party could join the government if the government created appropriate environment.

Addressing a press meet organised by the Banke chapter of Nepal Press Union in Nepalgunj, Koirala said the Maoists should create a conducive environment for the purpose. He also asked the Maoists to strictly follow the agreements signed in the past.

“The Maoist should first improve themselves to win the confidence of Nepali people. Only then other things will become possible,” Koirala said and wondered: “How can consensus be possible if the Maoists continue threatening and killing people?”

He also accused the former rebels of continuing with their past behaviour. Koirala also accused the Maoists of promoting untoward activities in the country in the name of establishing peace.

“This has hindered the statute-drafting process. The Maoists are mobilising Young Communist League to create terror,” he said.

Saying that the Maoists had begun People’s War by killing the NC activists, Koirala slammed the Maoists for declaring only its cadres as martyrs. “Many innocent activists of the NC and the UML were also killed in the war. But they have not been declared martyrs,” he said.

Koirala also opposed the recent Cabinet decision to open Mid-Western University in Surkhet. “The university should be established in Banke,” he demanded.