Kathmandu, March 29, 2006

Standing committee member of the CPN-UML K P Sharma Oli said today there was no alternative to peaceful people’s movement to end autocracy and bring the Maoists into political mainstream. “We have reached the 12-point understanding with the Maoists to find a solution to the conflict through dialogue and transformation process, not to promote violence as has been claimed by the government ministers,” Oli said, addressing a gathering of all Samparka Manchs at the party headquarters in Balkhu. He made it clear that the alliance’s April 6-9 movement would be decentralised and rallies will be held across the nation. “Let’s go to Kathmandu programme scheduled for April 8 has been revised and protest programmes will be held nationwide that day,” Oli said, referring to the decision of the Joint People’s Movement Central Coordination Committee on March 24. Earlier, the alliance had decided to hold a capital-centred rally on April 8. Oli also warned that if the armed conflict protracted more and more people would get killed, hundreds of thousands would be displaced and a similar number of women and children would become widows and homeless. He asked the party cadres not to pay any attention to the statements made by those representing the king in the government. Saying that days of the government were numbered, Oli said the government did not even have resources.

Kamal Thapa has harsher words for seven parties

Biratnagar, March 29, 2006

Home Minister Kamal Thapa today said the political forces like the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML who brought the present constitution are themselves trying to bring an end to the constitution by making an unholy alliance with Maoists. Inaugurating the second national general convention of the National Democratic Youth Association in Biratnagar today, Thapa said, “The NC and the CPN-UML have fallen prey to the Maoists’ conspiracy and have started the game to end the constitution.” Thapa added that an alliance with the Maoists could not be the solution to the present crisis facing the nation. Stating that the two parties reached agreement with the Maoists with the sole purpose of finishing the constitution, Thapa said, “They (the parties) can themselves evaluate whether they face real threat from the King or from the Maoists.” Claiming that the objective of seven-party alliance’s agitation would not realise at any cost, Thapa said the government is more concerned about reinstating the rights of people than reinstating the House of Representatives. He said while reinstating the House would reinstate the salaries and allowances of only 205 old representatives, the government wants to revive the rights of all the people through holding fresh parliamentary elections.