The Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala Sunday said his party was not ready to support the Maoist demand of a constituent assembly.
Speaking at a press conference organized at his ancestral home in Biratnagar this morning, Koirala said the chances of his party endorsing a constituent assembly were almost none, unless the Maoists give up arms.
“They should first of all convince the people why it is essential to go for a constituent assembly. We are not ready to accept it,” reports from Biratnagar quoted the NC president as saying. He added, “The NC will move independently. If we sway to the pressures of foreigners, the national integrity could be at stake.”
He further said the four parties were ready to withdraw the ongoing movement against ‘regression’ provided the sovereign powers are returned to the people. “We are ready to withdraw the protests provided the King announces that the people’s rights are retrieved ,” he said.