Nepali Congress leader Mahanta Thakur (File photo)
A senior minister in the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) government, Mahantha Thakur, has alleged that the Nepali Army was trying to sabotage the peace process.

Addressing an interaction programme organized at the Reporters’ Club in Kathmandu on Friday, a Nepali Congress leader and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mahantha Thakur, claimed that the Nepali Army had issued a press statement on Thursday– expressing reservations over Maoist leader, Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda’s last week’s public statement regarding the Army– only after the Defense Ministry refused to issue a similar statement.

“The statement by the Army—at a time when the Prime Minister and Defense Minister is outside the country—is not appropriate,” he said.

Addressing a press conference after the high level talks with the leaders of seven political parties last Friday, Maoist supremo Prachanda had alleged the Nepali Army of doing nothing in its history other than killing Nepali people.

Prachanda alleged that Nepali Army had done nothing good except “murdering people and raping Nepali women.” The top rebel leader further said since the Nepali Army could not fight with India, China or the US, it should be reduced to around 20,000 from its present strength of 90,000.

In a statement issued on Thursday, spokesman of the Nepali Army, Brigadier General Nepal Bhusan Chand, said Nepali Army was seriously concerned over what it called objectionable comments and remarks made by the rebel leader “during the recent special government programme at an important venue which was telecast live all over the country and attended by top political leaders.”

“Nepali Army has—behind it—a history of over 225 years old culture of glorious nationalism, protection of territorial integrity and selfless sacrifice for people’s security. Nepal’s history is testimony to the fact that from the past to the present, the NA has always remained committed to protect the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and dignity of the people under the direct command of the prevailing constitutional government,” the statement added.

Addressing the interaction on Friday, Minister Thakur said the proposed election to the constituent assembly should not leave any form of monarchy, which he said was a source of conspiracy.

Commenting on the NC president and Prime Minister G P Koirala’s remark in favour of a ceremonial King, Thakur said, “As our party had removed the provision of constitutional monarchy from the party statute, there was no reason for us to stand in favour of ceremonial King.”

He even claimed that “democratic republic” was the agenda of his centrist party.

Hailing the eight point agreement signed between the Maoists and seven political parties during the high level talks on Friday as historic, Minister Thakur expressed hope that the agreement would help restore lasting peace and stability in the country.

“The eight point agreement has helped end the underground politics of Maoists and also to dissolve the parallel government of the Maoists (in the districts), which is a positive development,” Thakur added.

He informed that the Maoists will join the interim government soon. He, however, did not make it clear whether they will join the government after the “management of arms” or before it.”