TOP OPPOSITION UML LEADER TURNS TABLE ON MAOISTS CHARGES PARTY HEADING GOVT. DOESN'T WANT A BASIC LAW

UML LEADER SAYS MAOISTS THEMSELVES DON'T WANT CONSTITUTION
Kathmandu, 8 March:: Amid Maoist threat more than 50,000 people
will be killed if a constitution isn’t promulgated by 28 May, top
UML opposition leader Raghji Pant said Thursday Maoists
themselves don’t desire a constitution.
“The council met to create an atmosphere for peace and constitution.
We will mobilize people. We are going to the people, “Pant said amid calls from UML for Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai to resign.
‘The prime minister is talking irresponsibly and he hasn’t convened a meeting of the special committee. Maoists are a hurdle for peace,” said in a hardened UML approach to Maoists noticed after the just concluded meeting of the national representatives council.
“They talk of war. There’s threat of extreme communism. Maoists are a hurdle to peace.
Pant, a former communication minister added: “Maoists and UML
have twice led governments. We don’t want to lead a government. Let the NC lead it.” He told Radio Nepal Thursday.
Pant detailed reasons for delay in promulgating a constitution.
“Maoists don’t accept multi-partyism. We want a loktantric republican constitution. We have given up the 1990 constitution with a monarchy,” rejecting Maoist charge UML is a regressive party,
Maoists argue the country has experimented a parliamentary system
and won’t accept such a form of government.
Premier Bhattarai has warned ore than 50,000 persons will be killed in another round of bloodshed in a constitution isn’t promulgated by 28 May.
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