In a strongly worded statement Wednesday, the Defence Ministry without naming Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala said his recent comments about the modernization of the Royal Nepal Army were “irresponsible” adding such comments will demoralize the army and help the Maoists.

The Ministry said the Army was constitutionally mobilized by the National Defence Council, like in all democratic countries, by elected members like the Prime Minister and Defence Minister.

The Ministry said the Army is being modernized with new weapons to replace old guns imported from neighbouring countries, the United States and the United Kingdom. The modernization of the Army is continuing and a regular exercise, the Ministry said.

Such moves were “regular” for the Army to maintain internal peace and security. The statement comes after Koirala said recently the Army should be brought under the control of parliament and modernizing it with modern weapons would weaken Nepal’s internal democracy.