Kathmandu, July 27
UML senior leader and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal says Maoist chief Prachanda is yet to justify his decision to pull out of the KP Oli government.
In an interview with Onlinekhabar, Nepal, who is considered one of Oli’s rivals in the party, says Prachanda committed a grave mistake by leaving the ruling alliance. “We should have continued the government’s nationalist agenda, even at the cost of a change of Prime Minister from within the alliance,” says Nepal. “Prachanda should now tell us if he pulled out of the government just to become Prime Minister or he has other plans.”
The UML leaders said although Prachanda made several allegations against Prime Minister Oli, some of which were not tolerable, Oli responded with a pretty calm and composed speech in Parliament. “This has helped UML keep its head high,” he added.
Asked about India’s role in change of guard in Nepal, the veteran politician said, India should not interfere in Nepal’s domestic affairs.
On the government’s decision to build the Kathmandu-Terai fast-track and the Nijgadh Airport, Nepal said he stands by the government on the issue.
Nepal also said that he does not see the possibility of the UML joining the new government. The Nepali Congress does not want the UML to have ministerial berths, because UML ministers would then press for the implementation of the previous government’s plans and policies, he said.
On the issue of re-drawing of provincial boundaries–a key demand of the Madheshi Morcha– Nepal said it would be a grave mistake to redraw boundaries now. “However, we are open to discussing the issue.”
